DESPITE LAST-MINUTE EFFORTS TO SPARE HER, LISA MONTGOMERY BECOMES FIRST WOMEN EXECUTED IN THE U.S. IN 67 YEARS
Despite multiple pleas and a court order, Lisa Montgomery became the first women since 1953 to be executed in the United States. The 52-year-old, who was the only woman on death row, died by lethal injection at the U.S. Penitentiary in Terre Haute, Ind., on Wednesday, January 13.
The procedure took place at 1:31 a.m., several hours after her original scheduled time.
Montgomery was sentenced in 2008, four years after she was found guilty of murdering pregnant Missouri resident Bobbie Jo Stinnett. After the slaying, which was determined to be premeditated, Montgomery cut out the fetus and kidnapped the baby, who survived.
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However, just prior to her execution, a court order was issued, claiming that Montgomery's mental illness proved her unfit for the death sentence.
"It is ORDERED, on the court’s own motion, that the court’s January 11, 2021 order denying the motion for stay be reconsidered and that appellant’s motion for a stay of execution pending appeal be granted,” the court documents obtained by OK! read.
The Kansas native's legal team explained that the inmate suffered from complex post traumatic stress disorder as a result of years of physical and sexual abuse at the hands of both strangers and family members.
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"Mrs. Montgomery 'made a strong showing' of her current incompetence to be executed," her attorney Kelley Henry stated. "Mrs. Montgomery has brain damage and severe mental illness that was exacerbated by the lifetime of sexual torture she suffered at the hands of caretakers.
After exhausting the appeals process, Lisa Montgomery was executed in Terre Haute by lethal injection on January 13, 2021..
"The Eighth Amendment prohibits the execution of people like Mrs. Montgomery who, due to their severe mental illness or brain damage, do not understand the basis for their executions. Mrs. Montgomery is mentally deteriorating, and we are seeking an opportunity to prove her incompetence."
However, despite the pleas delaying the execution, the Supreme Court wound up denying it, and Montgomery became the 11th individual to die via lethal injection under Donald Trump's presidency.
According to a report, Montgomery replied, "No," when asked if she had any final words.
“The craven bloodlust of a failed administration was on full display tonight,” attorney Henry stated after her death. “Everyone who participated in the execution of Lisa Montgomery should feel shame.
“The government stopped at nothing in its zeal to kill this damaged and delusional woman. Lisa Montgomery’s execution was far from justice.”
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