Derrick Dearman, a convicted killer on death row in Alabama, has decided to drop his appeals and wishes to be executed for the murders of five people he committed eight years ago. In a phone interview from prison, Dearman expressed his desire to bring closure to the families of the victims and take responsibility for his actions. He stated that he is at peace with his decision and hopes that his execution will help the victims’ families find healing and forgiveness.
Dearman explained that he went through the appeals process for the sake of his family, who wanted to fight for his life. After the Alabama Supreme Court upheld his six murder convictions, Dearman decided to end his appeals and proceed with his execution. Despite not notifying the victims’ families of his decision yet, he plans to write them letters asking for forgiveness. Dearman emphasized the need for forgiveness as a path to healing and closure for all parties involved.
The tragic events that led to Dearman’s conviction began in August 2016 when he attacked the victims in a bungalow in Citronelle, Alabama, while high on methamphetamine. He then kidnapped a 3-month-old baby and fled the scene, eventually turning himself in once he came down from his high. Dearman acknowledged the impact of drugs on his behavior, stating that they turned him into an unpredictable, unstable, and violent person. He admitted his guilt and pleaded guilty to the charges against him.
Despite expressing fear about the execution process, including concerns about the method of lethal injection used in Alabama, Dearman has chosen to proceed with his decision. He has also selected a spiritual adviser to guide him through the process. Dearman clarified that his choice to be executed is not out of an inability to live with himself but rather to bring closure and healing to all those affected by his actions. He believes that ending his life is a way to ensure that both the victims’ families and his own family can begin to heal and move forward.
Dearman has also expressed his understanding of the brutality of the Alabama prison system and the hardships faced by inmates, stating that some individuals on death row have committed lesser crimes than others in the general population. Despite this acknowledgment, he remains steadfast in his decision to be executed. Dearman’s announcement comes after the Alabama Supreme Court’s decision to deny his appeal and uphold his murder convictions, prompting his choice to forego further legal proceedings. As he prepares for his execution, Dearman hopes that his decision will bring peace and closure to all those impacted by his crimes.
