originally published by: BBC News
24th September 2010
A 41-year-old woman who conspired to murder her husband and stepson has been executed in the US state of Virginia. Teresa Lewis was the first woman to be put to death in the US for five years and in Virginia since 1912.
Lewis, who had learning difficulties, used sex and cash to persuade hitmen to kill her family in 2002. The US Supreme Court and Virginia’s governor refused to stop her execution, which took place at 2100 (0100 GMT) at Greensville Correctional Center.
Lewis spent her last hours with her spiritual adviser and family members at the prison in the city of Jarratt. She requested a final meal of two breasts of fried chicken, sweet peas with butter, a slice of either German cake or apple pie, and a Dr Pepper soft drink, prison spokesman Larry Traylor said.
As she was escorted into the death chamber, Lewis appeared tearful, her jaw clenched, Associated Press reported. Shortly before her execution, Lewis asked if her stepdaughter Kathy Clifton, daughter of her murdered husband Julian Lewis, was there. Ms Clifton was in a witness room separated from the execution chamber by a two-way mirror.
“I want Kathy to know that I love her and I’m very sorry,” Lewis said. Those were her final words. The time of her death was given as 2113 (0113 GMT).
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