A man who had been sentenced to death for the murder of a woman during a robbery at a gas station in 1997 was executed this week, but the process did not go as planned.
Geoffrey Todd West, aged 50, was administered nitrogen gas for his execution at William C Holman Correctional Facility in Alabama. When asked by the prison warden if he had any final words, West responded with a simple “no sir.” He was then secured to a gurney wearing a gas mask with a blue rim, signaling to his lawyer with a thumbs up before the execution commenced at around 5.56pm.
During the process, West struggled to breathe, keeping his eyes open for two minutes as reported by the Express. Observers noted slight foaming at the mouth and his head moving from side to side. His movements ceased around 6.07pm, and he was officially pronounced dead at 6.22pm.
West had been found guilty of the murder of Margaret Parrish Berry, a mother of two who was fatally shot while lying behind the gas station counter on March 28th, 1997.
Prosecutors alleged that Berry was killed to eliminate any witnesses to the robbery, with court documents indicating that $250 was stolen from the cash register.
Expressing remorse, West told AP over the phone, “There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t regret it and wish that I could undo it.”
In a final statement conveyed by his legal representative, West disclosed that he had privately apologized to Margaret’s family and acknowledged feeling “humbled by the forgiveness” extended by her son, Will.
Will Berry, who was 11 when his mother was murdered, had appealed to the Governor of Alabama for West’s sentence to be commuted to life imprisonment, stating, “I forgive him, and so does my dad. We don’t want him to die.” Despite this plea, Governor Ivey informed Berry of her decision to proceed with the execution earlier this month.
Governor Ivey remarked, “Almost three decades ago, Margaret Parrish Berry went to work at the convenience store, but tragically never returned home. Geoffrey West entered with the intention to rob and kill, callously shooting Ms. Berry in the back of the head. Tonight, the legally imposed death sentence has been carried out, ensuring justice, and I pray for healing for all involved.”
West’s legal team commented, “The execution of Mr. West prompts a societal reflection on the handling of capital punishment, the consideration of age and life circumstances, and the balance between justice, mercy, and the opportunity for redemption.”
Will Berry expressed his hope for West to find peace when facing judgment from a higher authority, stating, “From what we understand, he acted out of character that night. People who knew him growing up attested that he was a good person who strayed from the right path.”
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