Carlos Cuesta-Rodriguez, an Oklahoma death row inmate, was executed by lethal injection at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary on Thursday for the 2003 killing of his common-law wife, Olimpia Fisher.

Execution Details

Witnesses declined to share Cuesta-Rodriguez’s last words, but he mouthed ‘I love you’ to his stepdaughter and niece, who were present at the execution. The two were emotional, sobbing loudly throughout the process.

Oklahoma Department of Corrections Executive Director Justin Farris stated that the events leading to the execution affected many people, especially Fisher’s family.

Background of the Case

In May 2003, investigators said Cuesta-Rodriguez shot Fisher in her right eye, and eight minutes later, he shot her in the left eye. Detectives reported that Cuesta-Rodriguez was intoxicated at the time of the shooting.

During his clemency hearing in July, Cuesta-Rodriguez told the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board that he didn’t deserve mercy but wanted to apologize to Fisher’s family, which he did that day.

Amy Ely, first assistant attorney general of Oklahoma, read a statement on behalf of Fisher’s daughter, saying, ‘We hope this tragedy and loss reminds everyone of the importance of domestic violence awareness.’ Fisher’s family continues to honor and love her through shared memories and by raising their families to reflect the faith and love in God that she taught them.

Cuesta-Rodriguez’s family also sent a statement, describing him as remorseful and expressing his love and devotion to his family and inmates. They stated that he lived a life of ‘extraordinary beauty and tenderness’ within the harsh conditions of prison, consistently showing kindness and humility.

Original reporting: Oklahoma City News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.