Mississippi Executes Longest-Serving Death Row Inmate for 1976 Murder: A Closer Look at the Case

PARCHMAN, Miss. — Richard Gerald Jordan, a 79-year-old Vietnam veteran, was executed on Wednesday after spending nearly five decades on Mississippi’s death row. He was convicted in 1976 for the kidnapping and murder of Edwina Marter as part of a ransom scheme.

When the execution started at 6 p.m., Jordan lay on the gurney, took some deep breaths, and was pronounced dead at 6:16 p.m. He thanked the staff for their humane approach and expressed remorse to Marter’s family, saying, “I will see you on the other side, all of you.”

In the audience were Jordan’s wife, Marsha, his attorney, and a spiritual advisor. They visibly struggled with their emotions during the execution.

Afterward, Keith Degruy, speaking on behalf of Marter’s family, highlighted the lasting pain of their loss: “Nothing will bring back our mom, sister, and friend.” He noted their long wait for justice.

Jordan’s execution was Mississippi’s third in ten years, following another execution in December 2022. This year is on track to be one of the most active for executions nationwide since 2015.

Jordan’s past was marred by mental health issues tied to his military service. His defense team argued that he suffered from severe PTSD after serving multiple tours in Vietnam, which shaped his actions. However, the Mississippi Supreme Court rejected a petition on the grounds of denying due process relating to his mental health assessment during the trial.

Legal experts, like Franklin Rosenblatt from the National Institute of Military Justice, stress the importance of recognizing mental health’s impact on behavior, especially regarding veterans. “We understand more now about war trauma and its effects,” Rosenblatt noted.

Jordan’s case reminds us of broader discussions on mental health, particularly among veterans. Recent studies show that around 20% of veterans experience PTSD, underscoring the need for better support systems.

As discussions around execution and mental health persist, the tragedy of Jordan’s actions continues to ripple through his victims’ families and the community. While some seek justice, others are left with complex feelings about responsibility and what could have been different.



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Richard Gerald Jordan, Capital punishment, Edwina Marter, Mississippi, Crime, Tate Reeves, Eric Marter, Tim Murphy, General news, Vietnam, Legal proceedings, Asia Pacific, MS State Wire, Marsha Jordan, Franklin Rosenblatt, Keith Degruy, Charles Marter, U.S. news