Frank Atwood execution: Arizona inmate put to death for murder of 8-year-old girl as strange last meal request revealed
AN Arizona death row inmate has been executed nearly 40 years after he kidnapped and murdered an eight-year-old girl in September 1984.
Frank Atwood, 66, died by lethal injection Wednesday morning at the state prison in Florence after refusing a formal final meal, saying he was "fasting."
Atwood later accepted snacks, and ate salami, mustard, peanut butter, jelly, wheat bread, a snack bag of tortilla chips, and a drink of either water or a juice packet, officials said.
The execution began at 10.04am and Atwood was pronounced dead at 10.16am local time, prison officials said.
He was put to death by lethal injection, with officials calling it "very clinical."; IVs were put in both arms, according to reports.
"He [Atwood] seemed to accept his fate. He did not apologize in his last words," officials said, saying they were "surprised" by that.
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Other officials and reporters called it "very peaceful," calling the execution "calm" and saying there were "no jerking movements."
One reporter who witnessed the execution said it appeared that Atwood was snoring at one point before he took his last breaths. He also said the only sound in the room was Atwood's wife crying.
A priest was there with Atwood before the execution was carried out.
Atwood's execution is the second in the state of Arizona this year, following an eight-year hiatus.
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Atwood was convicted in 1987 of the murder of eight-year-old Vicki Lynne Hoskinson in Tucson.
Hoskinson disappeared on September 17 1984 while riding her bike to deliver a birthday card to her aunt.
Her bike was found by the side of a road nearby, and witnesses said they had spotted a suspicious car in the area at the time.
When police traced the car's license plates they found it registered to Atwood - who was at the time on parole for kidnapping and child molestation charges.
Atwood was arrested ten days after Hoskinson's disappearance on kidnapping charges.
Hoskinson's remains were found seven months later dumped in a desert area 20 miles away.
Atwood was found guilty of first degree murder and sentenced to death in May 1987. He spent 35 years on death row as he appealed his conviction, claiming police tampered with evidence.
Friends and neighbors of Hoskinson gathered outside of the state prison where the execution took place, along with people protesting the death penalty, according to AZ Central reporter Chelsea Curtis.
Hoskinson's mom, Debbie Carlson, was in attendance for the execution.
Addressing reporters after the execution, Carlson said, "Today marks final justice for our daughter, Vicki Lynne."
“Our family has waited 37 years, eight months and 22 days for this day to come.”
"Vicki was a vibrant little girl with an infectious laugh and a smile that would melt your heart."
Carlson spoke about her daughter's love of her family and spending time with them, including her grandparents.
"People say she was a mini-me. I'm really proud of that," Carlson said through tears.
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"I hope you're proud of us and how we've carried on your legacy."
The US Supreme Court denied a request for a stay of execution, Atwood's attorneys said earlier on Wednesday.