OKLAHOMA CITY — At 10:11 a.m. on June 12, John Hanson was executed by the state of Oklahoma.
He didn't request a last meal but did eat the meal provided to him.
After a series of hearings, the final plea for leniency for convicted murderer John Hanson was denied by a court and paved the way for his execution.
The family members of his victims said this was the closure they've been after for two and a half decades.
“Just feels like we’ve been on one of the longest nightmares of our life the last twenty plus years," said Jacob Thurman, the son of Jerald Thurman. "It finally feels like we’ve got the closure to all of this that the families have fought for and deserve."
In August of 1999, Mary Bowles, a retired bank executive, spent the morning volunteering at St. Francis. Then, she went to Promenade Mall to exercise, when she was carjacked in the parking lot by John Hanson and Victor Miller.
They drove her to a dirt pit in Owasso, where they shot and killed Bowles as well as the pit owner, Jerald Thurman.
WATCH: Clemency denied in 1999 double murder case:
Both Thurman and Sarah Parker Mooney, Bowles' neice, witnessed the execution. While Hanson's death is bringing some closure, Mooney said because it took so long, it's not really justice.
"Capital punishment is not an effective form of justice when it takes 26 years," she said. "Respectfully, if the state is going to continue to execute individuals, a better process is needed. The existing process is broken."
The two had differing opinion's on Hanson's last words.
Thurman said he heard 'Just forgive me and peace to all.'
Mooney thought she heard 'forgiveness and peace to everyone."
“It’s the most he’s said in a long time, beside at the clemency so it was good to hear some remorse," said Thurman. "That was peaceful and comforting a little. It’s just horrific that everybody loses, all families lose in this situation. No one’s a winner.”
The Department of Corrections said there were no complications with his execution, and that it was the quickest one they've done in some time. From start to finish, it took just ten minutes.
Thurman and Mooney expressed immense gratitude for law enforcement and lawmakers who helped them get to this final point in their journey.
On May 7, the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board denied clemency for Hanson.
Family members for both victims spoke at the hearing. Mary’s niece talked of her aunt’s love of the Tulsa community, family, and faith.
Jerald’s son, Jake Thurman, was 19 when his dad died. He said his dad exemplified the Oklahoma Standard and would give you “the shirt off his back.” He was relieved by the board’s vote.
Local News
Judge rules against Oklahoma in attempt to execute inmate
“I pray for both men’s souls and I have had to forgive this and move forward, so I can rebuild my life, with my family and instill the Oklahoma values that my dad instilled in me,” he said.
Hanson’s attorneys argued his life should be spared since Miller got a life sentence for his role in the crime spree. They also argued that, since he is on the autism spectrum, he tends to be a “follower” and was persuaded by Miller. Hanson maintains that he was not a trigger man.
“I didn’t think his role was to the point where he should have the death penalty,” said one of the jurors at his trial, who spoke by video at the hearing.
The state, including Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond, argued that evidence suggests Hanson was the triggerman in Bowles’ death. They also painted a picture that Hanson was the ringleader, including being the only one to engage in a seven-hour standoff with police leading up to his arrest.
Former Tulsa County District Attorney Tim Harris also spoke at the hearing. He was lead prosecutor in the case.
“This prosecution remains one of the most egregious examples of criminal evil in all my prosecuting career spanning 28 years,” he said.
Harris told the board he believes the death penalty should be used sparingly, but, in this case, it would be justified.
Governor Kevin Stitt did not intervene after the Pardon and Parole Board's decision. Hanson's lawyers filed additional appeals for stays in his case, but a judge denied the final one on June 11.
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere --
- Download our free app for Apple, Android and Kindle devices.
- Sign up for daily newsletters emailed to you
- Like us on Facebook
- Follow us on Instagram
- Watch LIVE 24/7 on YouTube
