JACKSON, Miss. — The Mississippi Supreme Court has ruled that Richard Gerald Jordan, the state’s longest-serving death row inmate, is to be executed on June 25. Jordan, now 78 years old, was sentenced to death in 1976 for the kidnapping and murder of Edwina Marter.
Decades of Appeals Come to an End
Jordan has filed numerous appeals over the years in an effort to overturn or delay his execution. His most recent legal challenge was denied in October, and the court now says he has “exhausted all state and federal remedies.”
“After due consideration, the Court finds Jordan has exhausted all state and federal remedies for purposes of setting an execution,” the court’s ruling stated.
The Crime: A Calculated Kidnapping and Murder
Court documents detail how Jordan traveled from Louisiana to Gulfport, Mississippi in January 1976. He first contacted Gulf National Bank, where Charles Marter worked, posing as a prospective client. After identifying Marter’s home address, Jordan went there pretending to be an electric company employee.
Jordan then kidnapped Edwina Marter, took her into a nearby forest in Harrison County, and shot her to death. He later called Charles Marter, falsely claimed Edwina was alive, and demanded a $25,000 ransom.
Execution Method Not Specified
The court’s ruling did not specify the execution method. Mississippi law allows executions via lethal injection, nitrogen gas, electrocution, or firing squad.
Broader Context: U.S. Executions in 2024
Jordan’s scheduled execution comes on the same day that Army combat veteran Jeffrey Hutchinson was set to be executed in Florida. So far this year, 14 people have been executed in the U.S., including three in Florida.
Mississippi’s last execution occurred in December 2022.
