A 35-year-old inmate on Alabama’s death row, who was convicted of murdering five people including a pregnant woman, has now requested the state to execute him after nearly six years of legal battles.
Derrick Dearman, speaking from a prison in Atmore, Alabama, expressed that he believes it’s time for “justice to be delivered” and sees his execution as the right course of action to bring closure to the victims’ families.
Dearman broke into a home in Citronelle, Alabama, in August 2016, attacking and killing five occupants with weapons including an ax, pistol, and shotgun.
He fled the scene with his girlfriend and an infant belonging to the victims. Subsequently, Dearman turned himself in to authorities.
Despite initially appealing his sentence at the request of his family, Dearman now believes his execution is necessary for the victims’ families to find closure.
He recently dismissed his attorneys and has written to the Alabama Governor and Attorney General to proceed with his death sentence.
Dearman described his decision as not for personal gain but to acknowledge the debt he owes for his crimes. He acknowledged the fear of death but emphasized his belief that his execution is the only way to provide closure for the victims’ families.
Alabama’s execution procedures had faced scrutiny due to previous issues with lethal injections.
Dearman’s spiritual adviser confirmed that Dearman’s decision is driven by spiritual conviction rather than political or activist motives.
Dearman expressed reservations about the death penalty generally but believes it’s warranted in his case for the sake of the victims’ families.
