http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20100722/NEWS/7220352/Man-s-last-words-All-right-devil-let-s-do-your-work-That-s-it-Man's last words: 'All right, devil, let's do your work. That's it'
Jimmie E. Gates • July 22, 2010
PARCHMAN — Death row inmate Joseph Daniel Burns died Wednesday evening saying he was going to live with Jesus.
"You can believe that," he said, shortly after reciting the 23rd Psalm.
Moments earlier, strapped to a gurney, the condemned man apologized to the victim's sister, Kay Gordon, who sat in a witness room.
Burns, 42, acknowledged he brought evil upon her family when he killed Tupelo motel manager Mike McBride on Nov. 9, 1994.
Burns had words for his sister, Delana Loveless, who watched him die along with their mother, Imogene Henry.
"Boo, take care of your sister. I love you," Burns said to Loveless.
Then, Burns signaled he was ready, saying, "All right, devil, let's do your work. That's it."
As the lethal fluids began to flow, Burns took one deep breath and closed his eyes, never to reopen them.
His mother and sister were hysterical once the execution was complete.
Burns' scheduled 6 p.m. execution was delayed about 30 minutes while the U.S. Supreme Court reviewed a last-minute petition to save his life.
Earlier in the day, Mississippi Corrections Commissioner Chris Epps told the media Burns was talkative while visiting with his mother, sister and three daughters in the holding cell next to the execution chamber.
Epps said he visited with Burns early Wednesday and again in the afternoon.
"He is resigned he will be executed today, and I think he is ready," Epps said in response to a media question at an afternoon briefing.
Hours before he was put to death, Burns rehearsed the statement he read to McBride's family members, Epps said.
Epps said Burns had a renewed hope when he learned of the court's request.
But at 6:16 p.m, the court cleared the way for Burns' execution and he was pronounced dead at 6:50 p.m.
Burns is the third inmate executed this year in Mississippi, the most in one year since 1961.
In the viewing room with Gordon were the victim's nephew, Josh Criddle; three media witnesses; and state Sen. Merle Flowers, who represented the governor's office.
Also in the room was Melinda Box Braxton, director of the Mississippi Department of Corrections Division of Victims Services.
Braxton held Gordon's hand throughout the execution, which took about 10 minutes from beginning to end.
Braxton previously told The Clarion-Ledger, "The true reason for the execution is not for the offender but justice for the victim."
Gordon, of Tupelo, said her brother grew up in Lee County but taught at schools in Mississippi, Tennessee and Georgia in the1960s and 1970s.
He moved back home after their father died.
McBride's family said Wednesday was not a day for victory but brought them some closure.
Gordon's husband, Greg Gordon, read a statement requesting prayers for both families.
Topic: Joseph Burns - Mississippi - 7/21/10 (Read 2943 times)