The US state of Georgia has executed a woman for the first time in 70 years.
Kelly Gissendaner, who was the only woman on death row in Georgia, died in the early hours of this morning, having been convicted of plotting to murder her husband 20 years ago.
CNN reports that both the Pope, who has been visiting the US this week, and Kelly’s three now-adult children tried to stop the execution with a last minute appeal but the motion was denied.
Kelly was convicted of murder after convincing her lover, Gregory Owen, to kill her husband, Douglas. Owen hit Douglas on the back of the head and then stabbed him in the neck eight to ten times.
A letter written on behalf of the Pope was sent the Georgia State Board of Pardons and Parolees ahead of the planned execution.
It said: “While not wishing to minimize the gravity of the crime for which Ms. Gissendaner has been convicted, and while sympathizing with the victims, I nonetheless implore you, in consideration of the reasons that have been presented to your Board, to commute the sentence to one that would better express both justice and mercy.”
Kelly’s last meal was “cheese dip with chips, Texas fajita nachos and a diet frosted lemonade, and she was reportedly singing the song “Amazing Grace” as the lethal injection was administered.”
