Arkansas Executes Two Murderers
Two Arkansas men were put to death Wednesday night, one who killed a father, mother and their daughter, and another who killed his son and brother.
Mark Gardner, 43, was executed by injection shortly after 8 p.m.
“Blessed . . . are those who are called to the Lord’s supper, a never-ending feast awaits me,” Gardner said when asked if he had any last words.
Gardner killed Joe and Martha Joyce and their adult daughter, Sara McCurdy, in Fort Smith in 1985. Mrs. McCurdy was also raped.
His execution was followed less than two hours later by that of Alan Willett, 52, who killed his 13-year-old son and his brother in 1993. Willett’s brother was mentally retarded.
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