Niamh Shackleton
Mississippi's longest-serving death row inmate has been executed and he had some chilling final words for the loved ones of his victim.
Richard Gerald Jordan, 79, had been on death row for almost five decades after he was convicted of murdering and kidnapping Edwina Marter in 1976.
On the day in question, Jordan called the Gulf National Bank in Gulfport where Charles Marter worked, where someone confirmed that he was in the office that day.
Knowing his wife was home without him, Jordan went to the Marter's property and kidnapped her before shooting her dead in the forest.
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It's believed he kidnapped the mom-of-two for ransom, with him attempting to blackmail her husband out of $50,000.
Her bereaved family read out statements yesterday (June 25) ahead of Jordan's execution, while Keith De Gruy, Marter's nephew, read out messages of behalf of her husband and two sons.
"Nothing will bring back our mom, sister, aunt and friend," De Gruy read out, per Clarion Ledger. "Nothing will ever change what Jordan took from us 49 years ago."
He continued: "Jordan tried desperately to change his ruling so he can simply die in prison. We never had an option. He took Edwina's life, never thought about the many people who loved her and relied on her. He took her away from us never thinking about us."
Marter's sons were just 10 and three-years-old at the time of their mother's murder.
Jordan died by lethal injection and was pronounced dead 6:16pm local time.
Speaking before his death, Jordan apologized to his victim's family, saying: "First, I would like to thank everyone for a humane way of doing this. I want to apologize to the victim’s family. I will see you on the other side, all of you."
For his final meal, Jordan had chicken tenders, French fries, strawberry ice cream and a root beer float.
Jordan's execution marked the first in Mississippi since 2022. Compared to other southern states, Mississippi carries out few capital punishments, having only killed three men in the last 10 years, including Jordan.
In comparison, Florida has executed seven death row inmates this year alone; the seventh being Thomas Lee Gudinas.
Gudinas killed and raped 27-year-old Michelle McGrath back in 1994. A year after McGrath's death Gudinas was convicted and he remained on death row ever since.
His final meal consisted of pizza, fries and soda and he was pronounced dead at 6:13pm local time on Tuesday (June 24).
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact GrieveWell on (734) 975-0238, or email [email protected].