Alabama prison inmate executed for 1995 slaying

ATMORE, Ala. — An Alabama prison inmate was executed Thursday for the 1995 rape, robbery and murder of a 70-year-old woman.

Eddie Duval Powell, 41, was put to death by injection at 6:30 p.m. at Holman Prison in Atmore. With his last words, he apologized to the victim's family, his family and to "everyone in the state."

"I'd like to say I'm sorry for all the pain I caused to everyone," Powell said when Warden Tony Patterson asked if he had anything to say. Powell added, "I'd like to say I've made peace with myself and God. Now everyone can move on."

Powell then laid his head down and blinked his eyes. Prison chaplain Chris Summers walked over and held Powell's hand and kneeled beside the inmate and prayed.

A moment later Powell raised his head and with a confused look on his face, glanced around the death chamber. He then dropped his head back down and appeared to be unconscious.

Earlier in the evening the U.S. Supreme Court denied Powell's appeals to stop the execution.

He was sentenced to die for raping, robbing and shooting to death 70-year-old Mattie Wesson at her home in Holt in Tuscaloosa County early on the morning of March 25, 1995.

After the execution, Mattie Wesson's sons, William Wesson, Curtis Wayne Wesson and Jerold O'Neal Wesson issued a written statement saying "justice had been served" with Powell's execution.

"Because of her untimely death, Mrs. Wesson was never able to meet four of her grandchildren and none of her four great-grandchildren," the sons said in the statement. "These children will never be able to hear her sweet voice and her infectious laugh. They will never be able to know about her gentle spirit or her wonderful sense of humor. She'll never be able to teach them about her loves in life — fishing, playing cards with friends for nickels and dimes, and cooking."

Mattie Wesson's sons offered their condolences to Powell's family.

"We would like to offer our condolences to the family of Mr. Powell. We truly understand the grief they are experiencing. It is our prayer that Mr. Powell has found forgiveness from our Lord Jesus and that he will spend eternity in Heaven," the sons said in the statement.

Department of Corrections spokesman Brian Corbett said Powell had been "relaxed and talkative" Thursday and spent some of his time writing letters.