Oklahoma to Execute John Fitzgerald Hanson Amid Controversy Over Transfer and Clemency Denial
McALESTER, Okla. – John Fitzgerald Hanson, 61, is set to be executed by lethal injection on Thursday at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary, following a controversial transfer to state custody expedited by the Trump administration. Convicted for the carjacking, kidnapping, and murder of Mary Bowles in 1999, Hanson was initially serving a life sentence in a federal prison for unrelated charges when federal officials transferred him to Oklahoma under an executive order aimed at reinforcing the death penalty.
Hanson’s last-minute appeal argued that he did not receive a fair clemency hearing last month, claiming bias from a board member who had previously worked for the Tulsa County District Attorney’s Office during Hanson’s prosecution. Though a district court judge temporarily halted the execution, an appeals court later cleared the way for it. The U.S. Supreme Court also rejected another appeal concerning undisclosed favorable treatment given to a key witness who testified against Hanson.
Prosecutors allege that Hanson, alongside accomplice Victor Miller, kidnapped Bowles from a Tulsa mall and later murdered her, with Miller receiving a life sentence without parole for his role in the crimes. During the clemency hearing, Hanson expressed remorse, stating, “I’m not an evil person… I can’t change the past, but I would if I could.”
Despite acknowledging his involvement in the kidnapping and carjacking, Hanson’s attorneys argue there is insufficient evidence to confirm he shot Bowles, framing him as a vulnerable individual manipulated by Miller. As the execution approaches, the case highlights ongoing debates surrounding the death penalty and the justice system’s handling of such high-stakes cases.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
