Trump Administration Executes Brandon Bernard, Plans More Execution
The Donald Trump-led administration has on Thursday executed Brandon Bernard, one of five death sentences his government planned to carry out before US President-elect, Joe Biden takes office in January 2021.
It was gathered that the U.S. Supreme Court rejected Bernard’s stay request, hence, clearing the way for his execution to proceed making him the ninth federal death-row inmate executed in 2020.
Bernard’s attorney, Robert Owen argued that his trial was flawed and emphasized that several jurors from his case now supported him being sentenced to life in prison rather than death.
Owen further described the execution as a stain on America’s criminal justice system.
Meanwhile, the execution has generated lots of reactions with critics arguing against carrying out a wave of executions in the narrow window before Biden, who opposes capital punishment, takes office.
According to a media report, Bernard’s last word was an apology directed at the victims’ family as he lifted his head to look at the windows to witness rooms.
You will recall that Bernard and his co-defendant, Christopher Vialva were convicted of murder in 2000 for their roles in the killing of two youth ministers, Todd and Stacie Bagley in 1999.
Meanwhile, family and friends of the Bagleys described the killings as senseless and evil as they thanked President Trump and Attorney General William P. Barr.