Amber McLaughlin went on to become the first openly transgender person in the history of the USA nation to be executed. It happened in the state of Missouri. Thus the state became the first one in the nation to do so. The crime was based on a murder committed in 2003.
Albeit Amber McLaughlin tried a lot for the governor’s clemency but it did not happen. Ultimately the execution took place. The lethal injection did this. Hence this is something historic in the overall justice mechanism of America.
Statement confirming Amber McLaughlin Death
After every execution, there has to be a confirmation by the authorities. Hence in this case there was no exception as well. We find the authorities releasing the following statement: “McLaughlin was pronounced dead at 6:51 p.m.,”
The regret of Amber McLaughlin, “I am sorry for what I did,” wrote McLaughlin in her overall final statement to reckon with. The statement which was released by the department of corrections also went on to state that “I am a loving & caring person.”
This shows the human side of the person. It stresses the empathetic values expected at large.
Why is it Unique?
Death executions overall are very rare these days. What is even more interesting is that the execution of women is even rarer. Hence this occurrence was not expected. Gradually it led to a controversy to reckon with.
If we look at the history of executions in the USA, we will find that only 17 women have been executed since the year 1976. The year 1976 is important because it was in this year that the Supreme court reinstated the death penalty after a gap. Hence this is a very significant fact to reckon with historically.
Asking for Clemency
McLaughlin, 49, had asked Republican Gov. Mike Parson to commute her death sentence in a petition for clemency. They claim that McLaughlin has shown genuine remorse and has struggled with many things. These include intellectual disability, mental health issues, and a history of childhood trauma. One needs to mention the fact that a jury could not agree on the death penalty.
Another Side
The family of the victim of the crime, Beverly Guenther, was advocating for the harshest punishment. They wanted justice here.
According to the Parson, “The State of Missouri will carry out McLaughlin’s sentence according to the Court’s order and deliver justice.”
The Crime Committed
The crime committed against Beverly Guenther was rape and murder. At that time Amber McLaughlin was a male. Admittedly they were in a relationship. But things started to get sour. Hence the victim even took out a restraining order. But it did not work in the long run.
Amber McLaughlin initially burglarized the home of the victim. It led to trauma for the victim initially. The order of protection was taken at that time.
The Verdict
A jury indicted McLaughlin for first-degree murder. They did so for effective assault and furnished horrifying acts. It is as per the court records. The jury, on the other hand, could not agree on a sentence.
It is interesting to mention that Missouri is one of the few states in the United States that does not require a jury to vote unanimously to recommend or impose the death penalty. The judge in such cases has to choose between life in prison without the possibility of parole or death. McLaughlin’s preliminary adjudicator forced capital punishment.
According to her attorney the verdict, “would highlight all the flaws of the justice system and would be a great injustice on a number of levels,”
Also read: Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Your Mental Health
