On Thursday evening, two men long on death row in Texas and Alabama were executed just minutes apart, leaving behind starkly contrasting legacies and departing in notably different ways.
Geoffrey Todd West, aged 50, was executed through nitrogen hypoxia at the William C. Holman Correctional Facility in Alabama, despite a heartfelt plea from the victim’s son asking for clemency.
In 1999, West was sentenced to death for the murder of Margaret Parrish Berry, a 33-year-old mother of two, whom he shot in the back of the head during a gas station robbery with his then-girlfriend.
Throughout his incarceration, West consistently expressed remorse and gradually developed a connection with Berry’s son, Will, who ultimately forgave West and advocated for him to be spared from execution.
“I forgive this guy, and I don’t want him to die. I don’t want the state to take revenge in my name or my family’s name for my mother,” Will stated.
When given the opportunity to speak before his execution, West had no final words. He was strapped to a gurney, a gas mask was affixed over his face, and he gave a thumbs-up to his attorney before the nitrogen was administered, leading to his suffocation.
Within just two minutes, he began gasping and showing signs of distress, as his head tilted to the side and his left fist curled, appearing to foam at the mouth.
With his eyes still open, West was pronounced dead at 6:22 p.m. — 26 minutes after the nitrogen was first administered.
In the weeks before his execution, West and Will exchanged poignant letters. West shared his deep remorse, while Will expressed his forgiveness and remarkable grace. They attempted to meet but were denied by the prison system.
Will also wrote to Alabama Governor Kay Ivey, who had previously commuted another death sentence when doubts arose regarding the individual’s guilt. However, in West’s case, the governor dismissed the appeal, stating her obligation to uphold Alabama law.
In a statement relayed by his attorney, West said, “I have offered my apologies privately to the family of Margaret Parrish Berry, and I am humbled by the forgiveness that her son, Will, has provided.”
Having been baptized in the Catholic Church last year, he expressed, “I am at peace because I know where I am going and look forward to being reunited with Mrs. Berry when I arrive.”
Meanwhile, just two states away, 35-year-old Blaine Milam was pronounced dead just minutes after West was executed.
Milam received lethal injection at the Texas state penitentiary and did not experience the same compassion in his final moments. He placed the blame on his girlfriend, who also faced capital murder charges but avoided the death penalty.
The young couple, both 18 at the time, were tried separately for the horrific murder of Amora Carson, Milam’s girlfriend’s 13-month-old daughter.
Evidence presented by prosecutors revealed that Milam had brutally beaten the toddler with a hammer, in addition to biting, strangling, and mutilating her over a span of 30 hours during an “exorcism” he believed would rid her of a demon.
The child was left with numerous skull fractures, broken bones, and a multitude of bite marks. Due to the severity and variety of her injuries, the exact cause of death was difficult to determine, as stated by a pathologist during the trial.
“If any of you would like to see me again, I urge all of you, regardless of who you are, to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, and we will meet again. I love you all. Bring me home, Jesus,” Milam declared just before receiving a lethal cocktail of drugs.
Milam’s previously scheduled executions in 2019 and 2021 were both halted. His latest appeals to the United States Supreme Court were denied on the morning of his execution.
This year, there have been a total of 33 executions in the US. Along with three stays of execution, one elderly inmate passed away of natural causes on death row.
With contributions from Post wires.
