Convicted murderer Ronnie Frye was executed by lethal injection yesterday at North Carolina's Central Prison seven hours after the state governor refused a stay of execution.
Frye, who in 1993 killed his landlady of 70 with a pair of scissors, was put to death despite a massive effort by anti-death penalty organisations to have his case reopened because his lawyer was drunk throughout his trial and failed to present evidence to lessen Frye's sentence.
Frye (42) expressed remorse in his last statement. "I pray that the Lord not charge any of you guys with this, and that you guys will seek the Lord as your Lord and savior. And I would ask that the family forgive me for my sins against them; my transgressions against them."
Only two defence witnesses were called during trial. The jury was never told that Frye, a jobless drug addict, was abandoned by his alcoholic parents at a gas station, along with his brother, when he was four years old. They were picked up by a couple who turned out to be alcoholics and beat the boys regularly for five years before they were returned to their parents.
Two jury members said later that if they had known of his background they would not have recommended the death penalty.