What's happened
Emmanuel Littlejohn, 52, was executed by lethal injection in Oklahoma for the 1992 murder of convenience store owner Kenneth Meers during a robbery. Despite claims of innocence and a clemency recommendation from the state’s Pardon and Parole Board, Governor Kevin Stitt proceeded with the execution, marking a significant moment in the ongoing debate over the death penalty in the U.S.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to Al Jazeera, Littlejohn expressed love for his family moments before his execution, highlighting the emotional weight of the event. The Independent noted that despite a clemency recommendation from the Pardon and Parole Board, Governor Stitt moved forward with the execution, emphasizing the political stakes involved. The Guardian pointed out the conflicting evidence surrounding Littlejohn's guilt, raising concerns about the reliability of the judicial process in capital cases. Metro reported on the broader context of multiple executions occurring within a week, marking a significant moment in the U.S. death penalty landscape.
How we got here
Littlejohn was convicted in 1993 for the murder of Kenneth Meers during a robbery. His case has been controversial, with conflicting evidence regarding who fired the fatal shot. The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board had recommended clemency, but Governor Stitt denied this request, leading to the execution.
Common question
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What are the recent controversies surrounding the death penalty in the US?
The death penalty remains a contentious issue in the United States, with recent executions sparking debates about justice, innocence, and systemic flaws. As cases like Emmanuel Littlejohn's highlight the complexities of capital punishment, many are left questioning the fairness of the system and the implications of multiple executions occurring in quick succession.
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Oklahoma is a state in the South Central region of the United States, bordered by the state of Texas on the south and west, Kansas on the north, Missouri on the northeast, Arkansas on the east, New Mexico on the west, and Colorado on the northwest.
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Alabama is a state in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west.
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John Kevin Stitt is an American businessman and politician who has served as the governor of Oklahoma since January 2019. He founded and is a former chairman and CEO of Gateway Mortgage Group. A Republican, he was elected governor in 2018.
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South Carolina is a state in the Southeastern United States and the easternmost of the Deep South. It is bordered to the north by North Carolina, to the southeast by the Atlantic Ocean, and to the southwest by Georgia across the Savannah River.
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Texas is a state in the South Central Region of the United States. It is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population.
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