Joseph Paul Franklin was executed at the Bonne Terre prison, moments after the United States Supreme Court lifted the last stays issued earlier by two federal district judges.
Franklin was executed for murdering a man outside a St. Louis synagogue 36 years ago. He admitted it was one of 22 murders he committed, saying he hoped to start a race war with his killings. Franklin was a self-described white supremacist.
Federal judges had earlier issued stays, questioning his mental competence to be executed, and questioning the proper procedures used in making the drug compound used to kill him.
The Missourinet’s Jessica Machetta filed this report from the prison shortly after the execution.