Oklahoma carried out the execution of Emmanuel Littlejohn on Thursday for the 1992 killing of a convenience store owner, a move that came even though the state's parole board had recommended that his life be spared, as reported by OKC Fox. Littlejohn, 52, was pronounced dead at 10:17 a.m. following the lethal injection procedure despite the pleas for clemency and the absence of a public announcement from Gov. Kevin Stitt's office before the execution took place.
During the Oklahoma City robbery that resulted in Kenneth Meers' death, Littlejohn admitted to being involved but denied pulling the trigger, a claim he has consistently maintained. His case has been controversial, with debates over the evidence and prosecutorial actions. In August, the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board recommended clemency, but Governor Stitt ultimately decided against it.
Despite the controversy and the recommendations made by the parole board, Gov. Stitt chose to allow Littlejohn's execution to proceed, leaving some to question the finality of justice when it clashes with board advisements and potential evidentiary inconsistencies, this decision marked Littlejohn as the third Oklahoma inmate to face execution this year and the 14th since the state resumed the practice in 2021 after a prolonged hiatus, News 9 has detailed.
In the lead-up to his execution, Littlejohn and his supporters sought mercy, with the parole board voting 3-2 in favor of clemency, revealing a split on the issue. Attorney General Gentner Drummond opposed this recommendation, but Governor Stitt had the final say. Bill Meers, brother of the murdered store owner, spoke out against clemency, stating, "We deserve to have our lives back, and to have loving memories of Kenny, and not carry the murder in our hearts forever," according to a statement obtained by News 9.
