The State of Oklahoma carried out the execution of Anthony Sanchez on Thursday for the murder of Juli Busken in 1996, a University of Oklahoma dance student, as announced by the state’s attorney general. Sanchez, 44, was found guilty of the rape and murder of Busken in 2006, after forensic analysis matched his DNA to the crime while he was serving a sentence for burglary.
Sanchez met his fate through lethal injection, marking the state’s resumption of this method after a six-year hiatus. He was declared deceased at 10:19 a.m. CDT.
Although Sanchez consistently maintained his innocence in the Busken case, he chose not to seek clemency from Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, citing a lack of favorable outcomes for inmates, regardless of the Pardon and Parole board’s recommendations. He did, however, request a 60-day reprieve from Governor Stitt to allow his new legal team to review his case.
Sanchez used his final words to reiterate his innocence, stating in the execution chamber at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester, “I didn’t kill anyone.” He also expressed criticism of his previous legal representation in the case and conveyed gratitude to his supporters. For his last meal, Sanchez requested chicken fried steak, fried okra, mashed potatoes, apple pie and ice cream, accompanied by a hot roll and sweet iced tea.
