(The Center Square) – Convicted murderer Phillip Hancock was executed by lethal injection at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester on Thursday, just weeks after the state pardon and parole board granted him clemency.
Gov. Kevin Stitt denied the clemency petition Thursday morning.
Hancock, 59, was convicted of murder for killing Robert Jett and James Lynch on April 25, 2001, in Oklahoma City. His lawyers said Hancock killed the two men in self-defense after being attacked.
Republican Reps. Kevin McDugle and Justin Humphrey testified in favor of clemency at Hancock’s hearing on Nov. 8.
The group Oklahoma Conservatives Concerned About the Death Penalty said they were disappointed with Stitt’s decision.
‘Oklahoma’s practice of capital punishment continues to be riddled with problems, including the inability of the state to prevent the execution of innocent people,” the group said in a statement. “Phillip’s case is one more reminder why we must insist state leaders reinstate a moratorium in order to correct these problems.”
Attorney General Gentner Drummond, who attended the execution, said justice was served.
“I hope today brings a measure of peace to the families of the men whose lives were tragically cut short by Phillip Dean Hancock,” Drummond said.
