ALABAMA LAST MEAL
LARRY EUGENE HUTCHERSON
October 25, 2006

...Hutcherson thanked the judge for the death sentence....

Last Meal: Hutcherson had a breakfast of grits and eggs, but made no request for a final meal. He said he would eat from a vending machine with family members.

The skinny: Hutcherson was executed for the killing of an 89-year-old woman who was nearly decapitated in her home. There was also evidence she had been sodomized.

More skinny: According to his confession at hisretrial, Hutcherson broke into the home of the 89-year old woman after taking six Valium and drinking whiskey. When she returned home as he was ransacking the house, Hutcherson took a knife from the kitchen and killed her. An autopsy confirmed that she had been beaten and her throat cut so severely that she was almost decapitated.

Hutcherson left his driver's license and other evidence at the crime scene. And he returned the next day to steal an air conditioner, microwave and more of the woman's belongings. According to his confession, he sold some and gave some away.

After his first conviction was reversed, Hutcherson pled guilty to capital murder in 1996, and a Mobile County jury recommended the death penalty by an 11-1 vote. A judge adopted the jury's penalty. Hutcherson thanked the judge for the death sentence.

The day of: Prison officials said beginning at 9:30 a.m. Hutcherson met with 23 family members, including his ex-wife, Tracie Havens, and daughter Candace Hutcherson, who took home his letters, photos and three Bibles. He left a television set to one inmate and a radio and headphones to another. He was described as very calm.

Last words and such: Hutcherson apologized to the victim's family in a brief final statement and asked for forgiveness. "I'm so very sorry for hurting you like this. It's been a long time coming. If I could go back in time and change things, I most certainly would. I hope this gives you closure and someday find forgiveness for me."

Strapped on his deathbed, Hutcherson stared quietly at the ceiling. When the chemicals begin to flow into both arms he gave a thumbs-up sign to the prison chaplin. He then motioned the man to his bedside, where the chaplin knelt for prayer. Hutcherson appeared to be praying aloud while the chaplin clasped his hands, but he fell silent about a minute later.

Factoids: Hutcherson was the...

49th murderer executed in U.S. in 2006
1053rd murderer executed in U.S. since 1976
1st murderer executed in Alabama in 2006
35th murderer executed in Alabama since 1976

There are currently 192 inmates on Alabama's death row.

Hutcherson was the 11th to die by lethal injection since the state changed from the electric chair in 2002.