All prisoners who died in the United States are given the opportunity to say the last words. Some apologise, while others express their anger and love towards their family. Glenn Rogers had a message to President Trump.
“Casanova Killer” to be run in Florida
Florida is set to execute Glenn Rogers, who was declared dead in the 1995 murder of Tina Marie Cribbs. Her body was found in a room at the Tampa Motel in November 1995.
Fox-13 News
The serial killer used his last words on Earth to shout President Donald Trump on Thursday.
“President Trump, keeps America great. I’m ready to go,” said Glenn Rogers, known as the “Casanova Killer,” as three drugs ran through his veins and tied him to a running gurney before he ended his life at Rayford’s Florida State Jail.
His final words have been reported by the Tampa Bay Times and the Associated Press, with reporters representing both outlets as witnesses to enforcement.
Randy Roberson, whose mother Andy Lou Ziels Sutton was the victim of the Casanova Killer, witnessed the execution and said Rogers’ comments about Trump seemed to confuse people in the room.
“I said, ‘Where did it come from?'” he said.
His wife, Amy Roberson – also the witness to the execution – said she thought, “What the hell?”
In addition to supporting Trump, Rogers expressed his love for his family. He also spoke to the victims of his crime.
“I know there are a lot of questions that need answers,” he said. “I promise that my questions will be answered in the near future.
Here’s what you need to know about Rogers and his victims, and what Trump said about the death penalty:
Why was Rogers executed?
Glenn Edward Rogers, 62, was executed Thursday for the murder of Tina Marie Cribbs, a reddish haired man who was killed by the so-called “Casanova Killer.” Rogers was known as the “Casanova Killer” for his good looks and his ability to attract future victims, and as the “cross-country killer” because the victims lived in different states in California, Mississippi, Louisiana and Florida.
According to an archived report from the Associated Press, one of his victims’ sisters told the court before Rogers was sentenced to death. “He’s about the most evil thing I think I’ve ever imagined.”
Shortly after his arrest, Rogers claimed he killed Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman in Los Angeles in June 1994, with about 70 people overall. There was no evidence to support this.
Rogers – a native of Hamilton, Ohio – was declared dead at 6:16pm, and was executed this year in the US and fifth in Florida. Three other men are scheduled to be executed in the US in Texas, Indiana and Tennessee next week.
Who was the victim of the Casanova Killer?
Authorities tied five casualties to Casanova killer. Four of them were reddish-haired mothers in their 30s. The three murders happened within six days.
- Mark PetersThe 72-year-old retired electrician in Hamilton, Ohio, was found dead in a shed owned by Rogers’ family in Beattyville, Kentucky in January 1994.
- Sandra Gallagherthe 33-year-old mother of Santa Monica, California, was murdered on September 28, 1995 in Vannuis. Her body was found in her burning vehicle. She met Rogers at the bar on the night of the murder.
- Linda PriceOn November 3, 1995, the mothers of two were found dead after being stabbed in the bathtub at their home in Jackson, Mississippi. Price lived with Rogers temporarily, according to a Dayton Daily News archive story.
- Tina Marie CribbsThe two 34-year-old mothers were stabbed to death in the bathtub at a Tampa Hotel in Florida on November 7, 1995. Like Gallagher, she met Rogers at the bar on the night of the murder.
- Andy Lou Ziels Sutton37-year-old mothers: three sons and daughters, ages 19, 17, 8 and 6, were found to have been stabbed to death in a bed in Bosher City, Louisiana on November 9, 1995. It is believed that Sutton and Rogers met before the murder and slept together.
What did Trump say about the execution?
Trump is a solid supporter of the death penalty and seeks to promote the ultimate punishment that will be swiftly made for murderers on death row for decades.
He also says punishments should be used against immigrants who kill Americans, people who kill police officers, drug dealers and human traffickers.
Earlier this year, Trump issued an executive order to restore federal enforcement.
“Before, during and after America’s establishment, our cities, states and countries continue to rely on the death penalty as the ultimate deterrent and only appropriate punishment,” his order said. “Our founders were well aware that only the death penalty could bring justice and restore order in response to such evil.”
Amanda Lee Myers is a senior crime reporter at USA Today.
