Longest-Serving Man on Miss. Death Row Executed for 1976 Murder: ‘Should Have Happened a Long Time Ago,’ Victim’s Son Says

The state of Mississippi recently made headlines as they carried out the execution of Richard Jordan, the longest-serving man on death row in the state. Jordan was put to death for the 1976 murder and kidnapping of Edwina Marter, which occurred 49 years ago. The victim’s son expressed relief at the execution, stating that it should have happened much sooner.

Richard Jordan, aged 79, was executed by lethal injection at the Mississippi State Penitentiary on June 25. He was the oldest person on Mississippi’s death row and had been incarcerated for nearly five decades. The execution marked the end of a long legal battle, with several appeals being denied, including to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Before his execution, Jordan expressed his gratitude to his lawyers and his wife. In his final statement, he apologised to the victim’s family and expressed his acceptance of his fate. His last words were a somber acknowledgment of meeting again on the other side. Jordan also shared a last meal with his family before the execution took place.

Jordan’s crime involved the kidnapping and murder of Edwina Marter, a 35-year-old mother of two, as part of a violent ransom scheme in Gulfport, Mississippi. He posed as an electrical repairman to gain access to Edwina’s home, where he kidnapped her at gunpoint in front of her young son. Jordan then took her to a forest, where he fatally shot her and attempted to ransom her for $25,000.

Edwina’s family, including her sons who were 11 and 18 years old at the time of her death, expressed their thoughts on the execution. They highlighted the pain and loss they had endured for almost five decades and questioned why Jordan was allowed to live in prison for so long. Despite the passage of time, they emphasised that their mother’s absence and the impact of her murder had not diminished.

The Mississippi Supreme Court’s decision on May 1 paved the way for Jordan’s execution, ultimately bringing closure to the Marter family after years of legal proceedings. The case drew attention to the debate around the death penalty and the rights of victims’ families to see justice served.

Jordan’s execution reignited discussions around capital punishment and its effectiveness as a deterrent. While some view it as a necessary form of justice, others raise concerns about its ethical implications and the potential for wrongful convictions. The complex nature of cases like Jordan’s underscores the ongoing dialogue on the appropriate use of the death penalty in the criminal justice system.

Overall, Richard Jordan’s execution marks the end of a chapter in Mississippi’s legal history, bringing a sense of closure to the Marter family after a long and difficult journey. As the state reflects on this case, it renews questions about the role of capital punishment in society and the lasting impact of violent crimes on victims and their loved ones.