Longest-Serving Inmate on Mississippi’s Death Row Seeks Forgiveness Before Execution

Richard Gerald Jordan, a 79-year-old Vietnam War veteran diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, was executed after nearly five decades on death row. He was convicted in 1976 for the kidnapping and murder of Edwina Marter, a homemaker with two young children.

Prior to his execution, Jordan expressed remorse and gratitude for the “humane” method of lethal injection used. He also made an eerie farewell, stating he would see everyone “on the other side.” His final meal included chicken tenders, French fries, strawberry ice cream, and a root beer float.

In his last words, Jordan thanked those involved in the process and apologized to the victim’s family, specifically asking for forgiveness from his wife. He was pronounced dead at 6:16 p.m. while lying on the gurney, with officials confirming the execution’s completion.

Jordan’s case was marked by ongoing legal battles, including challenges to Mississippi’s three-drug execution protocol, which he and others claimed was inhumane. His appeals, including requests for a pardon citing his PTSD and mental health issues, were ultimately denied.

The murder stemmed from a calculated plan: after calling Edwina Marter’s husband, Charles, Jordan hung up, tracked down the family’s address, and kidnapped Edwina, eventually shooting her in a forest. Later, he demanded ransom from Charles, claiming she was still alive.

His family did not attend the execution, feeling that justice had been long overdue. A relative, Eric Marter, emphasized that Jordan deserved punishment, expressing little sympathy for his plea for forgiveness.

Jordan’s death was one of only three executions in Mississippi over the past decade, contrasting with higher rates in other southern states such as Florida, which carried out seven executions this year alone.