A Texas inmate who requested to be executed by the government got his wish granted on Wednesday when he was injected for killing a police lieutenant with a vehicle more than six years ago during a chase.
Daniel Lee Lopez, 27, had requested to die under the legal system, stating earlier that "I've accepted my fate, I'm just ready to move on." NBC reports.
The U.S. Supreme Court had previously rejected appeals from his attorneys who disregarded both his desire to die and lower court rulings that Lopez was competent to make that decision.
Speaking quietly and quickly before the injection was administered, Lopez said "I hope this execution helps my family and also the victim's family.
"This was never meant to be, sure beyond my power. I can only walk the path before me and make the best of it. I'm sorry for putting you all through this. I am sorry. I love you. I am ready. May we all go to heaven."
When the lethal injection was finally administered, he took two deep breaths, as the drugs took effect on him and then two shallower breaths, before all movement halted.
He was pronounced dead at 6:31 p.m. CDT — 15 minutes after the lethal dose began.
The late police officer Alexander, 47, was reportedly standing in a grassy area on the side of a highway where he had put spike strips when he was hit by the sport utility vehicle Lopez was fleeing in.
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