Prison reform advocates speak out against upcoming execution of Mississippi’s longest-serving death row inmate

BILOXI, Miss. (WLOX) - On Wednesday, a group of prison reform advocates gathered virtually to speak out against the death penalty in Mississippi.

The group included spiritual adviser Rev. Jeff Hood, criminal justice reform advocate Mitzi Magleby, and Death Penalty Action Executive Director Abraham Bonowitz.

The group focused on the upcoming execution of Mississippi’s longest-serving death row inmate, Richard Gerald Jordan.

“He’s a combat Veteran who came back severely traumatized after serving his country honorably, and he did not receive the services and support that he needed. This does not excuse his crime, but it should make him worthy of mercy,” said Bonowitz.

Jordan, 78, has been sentenced to death on four separate occasions for the 1976 kidnapping and killing of Edwina Marter, the wife of Gulfport banker Charles Marter.

Jordan is now seeking clemency from Gov. Tate Reeves. The petition mentions Jordan’s service in Vietnam, as well as his record as a model prisoner.

“He’s highly trusted. He works every day for the prison to give himself value,” said Bonowitz.

Gov. Tate Reeves won’t decide on Richard Gerald Jordan’s request for clemency until after the U.S. District Court decides its case. Jordan recently filed a motion for a temporary injunction blocking the execution, citing problems with the state’s lethal injection protocol.

A hearing on that matter was held on Saturday, June 14, but the judge has yet to hand down a decision.

“He realizes what he did was wrong. He is not trying to excuse that in any way, we just ask for mercy,” said Magleby. “Mercy for a nearly 80-year-old man that Mississippi will not benefit its citizens by murdering.”

“We are praying for Richard Jordan. We’re hoping for Richard Jordan, and we firmly believe that Mississippi is cooking up a travesty,” said Hood.

Jordan is to be executed on June 25, but it could be postponed pending a judge’s decision.

See a spelling or grammar error in this story? Report it to our team HERE.