Ernest Marvin Carter OK RIP

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Oklahoma Executes Man Despite Clemency Request
Tue December 17, 2002--(Reuters)

McALESTER, Oklahoma - An Oklahoma man convicted in the 1990 murder of a security guard during a robbery was executed by lethal injection on Tuesday despite a recommendation by the state's parole board that his death sentence be stayed. Ernest Marvin Carter, Jr., 36, was pronounced dead at 6:14 p.m. CST, three minutes after receiving an injection of fatal chemicals at a state prison, said Oklahoma Department of Corrections spokesman Jerry Massie.

"I'll be with y'all on the other side," Carter said in his last words delivered to family members and friends, prison officials said. "I'm going home now."

The state's pardon and parole board this month unanimously recommended Carter's execution be stayed, citing a lack of direct evidence that Carter committed the crime. Carter has also maintained his innocence.

Despite the board's recommendation, Gov. Frank Keating denied a stay of execution after he reviewed the case. Keating has said in recent speeches that death sentences should have a higher standard for conviction, saying no one should be put to death without "moral certainty" that they committed the crime. The parole board often cited that phrase in their recommendation that Carter's execution be stayed.

Carter was convicted of the shooting death of Eugene Manowski, 35, a security guard for an automobile auction company. Police say Carter shot Manowski while stealing a tow truck from the auction house lot.

An accomplice, Charles L. Summers, was convicted and sentenced to life in prison.

Carter's last requested meal was a deep-dish pizza, a soft drink and a slice of cherry cheesecake. Carter is the 55th person executed in the state since Oklahoma reinstated the death penalty in 1977 and resumed executions in 1990. He is the third person Oklahoma has executed this month.