GILBERT Postelle was executed on February 17, 2022, nearly 15 years after he killed four people in Oklahoma, and his last meal was revealed ahead of his death.
Postelle’s final meal consisted of 20 chicken nuggets with various sauces, fries, a crispy chicken sandwich, one chicken sandwich, a large cola, and one caramel frappe, and was approximately 3872 calories.
A DOC spokesman, Justin Wolf, said Postelle was pronounced dead at 10.14am, according to reporter Keaton Ross on Twitter.
Postelle killed four people on Memorial Day in 2005, in what he claimed was a connection to his father’s motorcycle accident that had left him severely injured.
Police reported Postelle used an AK-47 stifle rifle when he killed James Alderson, 57, Terry Smith, 56, Donnie Swindle, 49, and Amy Wright, 26, at an Oklahoma City home in 2005.
Postelle was 19 years old when he killed the four people but in December 2021, he claimed he didn’t remember the murders because of his methamphetamine use in the days leading up to the attack on the four people.
Postelle requested a stay of execution in December 2021 after claiming the lethal injection penalty is unconstitutional.
Read our Gilbert Postelle live blog for the latest news and updates…
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Execution had “zero complications”
According to Attorney General John O’Connor, the execution was carried out “with zero complications.”
Corrections Department Director Scott Crow told reporters: “”I believe the last couple of executions have been very smooth.”
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When was Postelle declared dead?
Postelle was pronounced dead at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary at 10.14am.
He was 35 years old at the time.
He apologized for killing four people at his clemency hearing in December, but he made no final comment on Thursday.
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‘Not a joyous day for anyone’
The sister of of Gilbert Postelle’s victim Donnie Swindle, Shelli Milner, read a statement to reporters after Postelle’s execution.
She said that it was “not a joyous day for anyone” and that Postelle’s death “did not end anyone’s suffering,” The Frontier reported.
“Today ended one monster’s life who stole four innocent people’s lives,” Milner said.
“His family grieves as our families have grieved for 17 years. To know that he will never walk this Earth again does give me a little more peace than I had yesterday.”
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History of last words before execution, continued
Many people awaiting execution have the option to seek forgiveness from the victim’s family as well as their own, according to AETV.com.
Others, however, grow stubborn or use humor in an unnerving way near the end.
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History of last words before execution
Prior to the execution of a death row prisoner, whether by lethal injection, gas chamber, or another method, the condemned are given the opportunity to say their last words.
Allowing final remarks as part of the execution, according to law professor Jeff Kirchmeier of the City University of New York School of Law, may have made things more orderly by removing the need for the condemned to cry things out.
“There was probably a religious aspect of the tradition, too, giving the condemned an opportunity to repent before going to the next world,” said Kirchmeier.
“Their statements would also warn others watching of the dangers of various vices.”
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No last words
Gilbert Postelle had no final words before the state of Oklahoma executed him on Thursday.
He shook his head “no” and closed his eyes before he was given the lethal injection drugs that led to his death, The Frontier reported.
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Who did Postelle kill?
Police reported Postelle used an AK-47 stifle rifle when he killed James Alderson, 57, Terry Smith, 56, Donnie Swindle, 49, and Amy Wright, 26, at an Oklahoma City home in 2005.
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Capital crimes in Oklahoma
First-degree murder in Oklahoma is punished by death in the following situations:
- The defendant has previously been convicted of a felony that involved the use or threat of violence against another person.
- The defendant deliberately put more than one person in danger of death;
- The individual killed for money or the promise of reward, or hired someone else to kill for remuneration or the promise of remuneration;
- The assassination was particularly horrible, awful, or cruel;
- The murder was carried out in order to avoid or deter a valid arrest or prosecution;
- The murder was done by someone who was serving a jail sentence for a criminal conviction;
- Existence of a reasonable possibility that the defendant will engage in unlawful acts of violence that would pose a long-term harm to society; or
- The murder victim was a peace officer or a correctional staff of a Department of Corrections-controlled facility, and he or she was slain while performing official duties.
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‘We send you love’
People who advocated against the execution of Gilbert Postelle took to Twitter to share their thoughts on Thursday.
“Dear Family of Gilbert Postelle, if you ever see this please know that there are many of us who stand with you,” one person wrote.
“We send you love and prayers. Please know, whatever happens, Gilbert was worthy of love and life and happiness.”
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What is Death Penalty Action?
Death Penalty Action is an anti-death penalty group. The group organized events to oppose the execution of Gilbert Postelle.
“Death Penalty Action (DPA) provides high visibility resources, leadership, support, educational and direct action events and activities within the broader anti-death penalty movement,” the organization’s website revealed.
“DPA is prepared to assist various local, state and national groups in their work to end the use of the death penalty.”
“DPA is currently leading the campaign to abolish the federal death penalty in 2021. Additionally, DPA has worked with the Arkansas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty, Ohioans to Stop Executions, Journey of Hope… from Violence to Healing, and the Abolitionist Action Committee.”
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Second person executed in 2022
Oklahoma restarted its death penalty in 2021 and Gilbert Postelle was the fourth person to be executed by the death penalty since then.
He was the second person to be executed in 2022.
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Dozens executed in Oklahoma
The Executive Director of the Death Penalty Information Center noted on Twitter, “An important note on today’s execution of #GilbertPostelle. He was the 44th person from #OklahomaCounty executed since the #deathpenalty resumed in the U.S. in the 1970s.”
“No other county outside of #Texas is responsible for that many executions.”
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Why did Postelle ask for stay of execution?
Gilbert Postelle requested a stay of execution in December 2021 after claiming the lethal injection penalty is unconstitutional.
He instead requested to be executed by firing squad, a request that was denied.
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How long can someone be on death row?
Due to the jurisdiction’s extensive and time-consuming appeals procedures, inmates in the United States may have to wait several years before being executed.
Between 1977 and 2010, the period between sentencing and execution grew substantially, with a 22 percent rise between 1989 and 1990 and a comparable increase between 2008 and 2009.
In 2010, the average time between sentencing and execution for a death row inmate was approximately 15 years.
In the United States, over a quarter of convicts on death row die of natural causes while awaiting execution.
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No ‘complications’
“AP Reporter Sean Murphy says execution was carried out with any noticeable complications,” Keaton Ross reported on Twitter.
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Gilbert Postelle and his learning disabilities
Gilbert Postelle had learning problems and an IQ in the low 70s, according to his clemency packet prepared for the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board by his attorney Robert Nance.
While in public school, he was a special education student who dropped out at the age of 12.
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Was Gilbert Postelle executed?
Postelle was executed on February 17, 2022.
His time of death was 10.14am local time in Oklahoma.
Postelle killed four people on Memorial Day in 2005, in what he claimed was a connection to his father’s motorcycle accident that had left him severely injured.
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Postelle is plaintiff in death penalty lawsuit
Postelle is the fourth person killed by Oklahoma in recent months, the Huffington Post noted.
His death comes amid a lawsuit over whether or not Oklahoma’s lethal injection protocol is unconstitutionally cruel.
Postelle was a plaintiff in that lawsuit, the outlet revealed.
It is set to go to trial in less than two weeks.
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Who confirmed Postelle’s execution?
DOC spokesman Justin Wolf received a phone call with the confirmation of Gilbert Postelle’s time of death.
Reporter Keaton Ross shared a video of Wolf making the announcement after receiving the call.
Postelle was pronounced dead at 10.14am.
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When was Postelle executed?
Gilbert Ray Postelle was executed at 10.14am on Thursday at Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester, according to McAlester News-Capital.
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Oklahoma Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty statement, continued
Randy Bauman, OK-CADP Board Member, also said in a statement, “Today the State of Oklahoma killed another person suffering from mental deficits; a person unable to make rational decisions as a young kid influenced by a parent.”
“Gil Postelle as an adult deeply regretted what he did in his youth. He still suffered mentally, but was liked by those who got to know him and loved by many; a person now purposefully dead at the hands of the State of Oklahoma with absolutely nothing gained in his death.”
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Oklahoma Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty statement
The Oklahoma Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty released a statement after Postelle’s death was confirmed.
Rev Don Heath, Oklahoma Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty (OK-CADP) chair, said in a statement, “Gilbert Postelle is a sweet man. The guards cried as they took him to the 35-day cell.”
“Only the morally ill execute the mentally ill, which is becoming commonplace in Oklahoma. It diminishes the humanity in all of us.”
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Postelle pronounced dead
A DOC spokesman, Justin Wolf, said Postelle was pronounced dead at 10.14am, according to reporter Keaton Ross on Twitter.
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Calls to #StopExecutions on Twitter
Tweeting against executions, users have taken to the platform to show their opposition to the death penalty.
One user wrote: “Why do some people get more attention than others when their stories are exactly the same?
“One person’s tragedy shouldn’t trump another’s! When it comes to protesting an execution…this happens all the time!
“Pls join us in fighting for ALL executions to end! #StopExecutions”
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When were death penalty laws established?
The first documented death penalty laws may be found in King Hammurabi of Babylon’s Code, which legislated the death sentence for 25 separate offenses in the Eighteenth Century B.C.
The death penalty was also included in the Hittite Code of the fourteenth century B.C., the Draconian Code of Athens of the seventh century B.C., which made death the only punishment for all offenses, and the Roman Law of the Twelve Tablets of the fifth century B.C.
Crucifixion, drowning, beating to death, burning alive, and impalement were all used to carry out death penalties.
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