TLDR;
This video explores the stories of individuals executed in February, detailing their crimes, last words, and final meals. It covers Marian Bowman, executed for murder in South Carolina; Steven Le Nelson, executed in Texas for a church robbery and murder; Demetrius Terren Frasier, executed in Alabama for multiple assaults and murders; James Dennis Ford, executed in Florida for a brutal double murder and child abuse; and Richard Lee Tabler, executed in Texas for multiple murders.
- Crimes ranged from violent assaults and murders to robbery resulting in death.
- Last words varied from apologies and expressions of love to statements of peace and defiance.
- Last meals, when offered, included a variety of comfort foods.
Marian Bowman [0:16]
Marian Bowman, a 20-year-old from South Carolina, was executed on February 16, 2025, for the murder of 21-year-old Candy Louise Martin. The crime stemmed from an argument over a debt, escalating into a violent confrontation where Bowman shot Martin multiple times. He then concealed her body in a car trunk and set it on fire. Evidence, including the murder weapon recovered from a river, linked Bowman to the crime through ballistic and DNA tests. Despite maintaining his innocence and alleging racism in his defence, Bowman was sentenced to death in 2002. His last meal request included fried seafood, wings, onion rings, banana pudding, German chocolate cake, and cranberry pineapple juice. In his final words, Bowman expressed remorse for the victim's family's suffering and hoped his death would bring them some relief.
Steven Le Nelson [2:15]
Steven Le Nelson, a 24-year-old, was executed in Texas on February 5, 2025, for the capital murder of Reverend Clint Dobson during a robbery at North Point Baptist Church in Arlington, Texas. Nelson, already on parole, brutally attacked both Dobson and secretary Judy Elliott. He strangled Dobson with a computer cable and suffocated him with a plastic bag, while Elliott survived severe injuries. After the crime, Nelson stole a laptop, credit cards, and a car, using the cards for purchases and selling the laptop. He was quickly apprehended due to fingerprint and blood stain evidence. As Texas does not grant last meals, Nelson's final words were directed to his wife, expressing his love, gratitude, and peace before the lethal injection.
Demetrius Terren Frasier [4:38]
Demetrius Terren Frasier was executed in Alabama on November 27, 1991, for the murder of 40-year-old Pauline Starks Brown. Frasier broke into Brown's apartment, sexually assaulted her at gunpoint, and then fatally shot her. Months later, in Detroit, he murdered 14-year-old Crystal Kendrick after attempting to assault her. He confessed to both crimes after his arrest in Michigan. In 2018, he chose to be executed by nitrogen hypoxia, a method adopted in Alabama as an alternative to lethal injection. His last meal request included Taco Bell food and Mountain Dew. In his final statement, Frasier apologised to the family and friends of Pauline Brown, acknowledging the gravity of his actions.
James Dennis Ford [6:34]
James Dennis Ford was executed in Florida for the brutal murders of Greg and Kimberly Mallerie in 1997. Ford invited the couple on a fishing trip, where he shot Greg in the head and struck him with an axe, and sexually assaulted and murdered Kimberly. The couple's 22-month-old daughter was left in a truck for over 18 hours, exposed and covered in her mother's blood. Ford was found guilty of murder, sexual assault, and child abuse. Despite appeals, his death sentence was upheld. His last meal consisted of steak, macaroni and cheese, fried okra, sweet potato, pumpkin pie, and sweet tea. While he had nothing to say at the time of his execution, he had written a message expressing "hugs prayers love God bless you all".
Richard Lee Tabler [8:27]
Richard Lee Tabler was executed in Texas on February 13, 2025, for the murders of Muhammad Ramuni, Zed, Amanda Benefield, and Tiffany Lorraine. In November 2004, Tabler, along with an accomplice, lured Ramuni and Zed under the guise of selling sound equipment, ambushing and shooting them. Days later, he murdered Benefield and Lorraine, selecting them from a list of nightclub employees he believed had implicated him in the previous murders. Tabler repeatedly called the police, mocking them and making threats. He was sentenced to death for the four murders. In his final statement, Tabler apologised to the families of his victims and thanked his family, legal team, and death row staff for their support, expressing regret for his actions.
