Parchman, Sunflower County, MS – Convicted murderer David Neal Cox was executed Wednesday night at Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman. He was pronounced dead at 6:12 p.m.
As prescribed by Mississippi state law, Cox was administered a mixture of three chemicals, midazolam, vecuronium bromide, and potassium chloride, according to court papers. The lethal injection is prescribed for in Mississippi law for capital punishment.
“He has requested a final meal of fried catfish, French fries, and banana pudding,” said Mississippi Commissioner of Corrections Burl Cain at the 2:00 PM briefing. “I know it’s unique to say but he has been upbeat.”
Cox, 51, asked justices of the Mississippi Supreme Court to carry out his death sentence after releasing his lawyers and instructing them to drop all appeals.
According to court records, in May 2010, Cox shot his estranged wife, Kim Cox, in the stomach and sexually assaulted his 12-year-old stepdaughter in front of his wife as she bled to death.
Gov. Tate Reeves declined to step in and stop the execution.
“The governor has reviewed the facts of this case and there is no question that David Cox committed these horrific crimes. Mr. Cox has admitted his guilt on multiple occasions and has been found competent by both the Circuit Court and Mississippi Supreme Court. Further, Mr. Cox himself filed a motion requesting that all appeals be dismissed and his execution date be set. In light of this, the Governor has no intention at this time of granting clemency or delaying this execution,” his office said in a statement.
The stepdaughter, who is now 23, witnessed Cox’s execution.
