Richard Gerald Jordan executed after decades of legal battles over murder

In the United States, Richard Gerald Jordan, a 79-year-old Vietnam veteran, was executed by lethal injection at the Mississippi State Penitentiary on June 25, 2025, marking nearly half a century since he was first sentenced to death. His conviction stemmed from the kidnapping and murder of Edwina Marter in 1976, a mother of two young children, during a ransom plot that ended tragically. Over the years, Jordan's case went through a rigorous legal process involving multiple trials, appeals, and petitions, but ultimately, his execution order was upheld after the U.S. Supreme Court denied his last appeals. Jordan's actions in 1976 were fueled by a crime that followed a violent scheme where he shot Edwina Marter after abducting her from her family home, demanding $25,000 from her husband, Charles Marter, for her safe return. The heinous act shocked the community and led to a significant law enforcement response, including involvement from the FBI. Despite the rigorous court battles that lasted for decades, which included claims of mental health issues owing to his PTSD from combat in Vietnam, Jordan's defense arguments were ultimately rejected, leading to his execution. Jordan was one of only 22 individuals still on death row in the U.S. for crimes committed in the 1970s. His case reflected broader issues surrounding the death penalty and mental health considerations in legal proceedings, particularly the impact that wartime service and trauma may have on an individual's actions. Legal advocates argued throughout his case that Jordan had not been provided with adequate representation, specifically regarding his mental health, which could have influenced the jury's perspective. Amid ongoing discussions about capital punishment practices in Mississippi, Jordan's execution raised awareness of the contentious three-drug protocol used for lethal injections, which critics have labeled as inhumane. Governor Tate Reeves denied clemency requests, insisting that Jordan’s past service and trauma did not mitigate the severity of his crime. The execution concluded Jordan’s long-standing legal saga and dealt a somber blow to those advocating against the death penalty who had hoped for justice to be served through alternative means.