government executed federal inmates during a presidential transition, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. Not since the waning days of Grover Cleveland’s presidency in the late 1800s has the U.S. When a marshal called from a death-chamber phone to ask if there were any impediments to proceeding with Higgs’ execution, he kept his mask on and shoved the receiver under it. In the early Saturday execution of Higgs, officials inside the execution chamber were more diligent about their keeping masks on after a federal judge expressed concern that officials at Johnson’s execution were lax about coronavirus precautions. Among those prisoners who got COVID-19 last month were Higgs and former drug trafficker Corey Johnson, who was executed Thursday. She was the first woman executed in nearly 70 years.įederal executions began as the coronavirus pandemic raged through prisons nationwide. The only woman on death row, Lisa Montgomery, was executed Wednesday for killing a pregnant woman, then cutting the baby out of her womb.

It’s likely none of the around 50 remaining men will be executed anytime soon, if ever, with Biden signaling he’ll end federal executions. The number of federal death sentences carried out under Trump since 2020 is more than in the previous 56 years combined, reducing the number of prisoners on federal death row by nearly a quarter. This is not closure.” The statement didn’t include the sister’s name. “When the day is over, your death will not bring my sister and the other victims back. “They are now going to go through the pain we experienced,” she said. He quickly became still, his pupils visible with his eyelids left partially open.Ī sister of Tanji Jackson - one of the murdered women who was 21 when she died - addressed a written statement to Higgs after his execution and mentioning his family. Louds sobs of a woman crying inconsolably began to echo from the witness room reserved for Higgs’ family as his eyes rolled back in his head, showing the whites of his eyes. He waved with his fingers and said, “I love you.” He did not apologize for anything he did on the night 25 years ago when the women were shot by another man, who received a life sentence.Īs the lethal injection of pentobarbital began to flow into his veins, Higgs looked toward a room reserved for his relatives and lawyers. I am not responsible for the deaths,” he said softly. Asked if he had any last words, Higgs was calm but defiant, naming each of the women prosecutors said he ordered killed.

Higgs, 48, was pronounced dead at 1:23 a.m. No president in more than 120 years had overseen as many federal executions. President Donald Trump’s Justice Department resumed federal executions last year following a 17-year hiatus. (AP) - The Trump administration early Saturday carried out its 13th federal execution since July, an unprecedented run that concluded just five days before the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden - an opponent of the federal death penalty.ĭustin Higgs, convicted of ordering the killings of three women in a Maryland wildlife refuge in 1996, was the third to receive a lethal injection this week at the federal prison in Terre Haute, Indiana. ((Federal Bureau of Prisons/Community Federal Defender Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania via AP)) 15, 2021, at the federal prison in Terre Haute.

Higgs is scheduled to be executed on Friday, Jan.

Higgs, the last federal inmate facing execution before President Donald Trump leaves office was sentenced to death for the killings of three women in a Maryland wildlife refuge in 1996. Nick Taylor (68) of Abbotsford, B.C., was tied for 34th at 3 under while Mackenzie Hughes (72) of Dundas, Ont., fell to 1 under and a tie for 47th.This 2015 photo provided by Shawn Nolan Chief, Capital Habeas Unit Community Federal Defender Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, shows Dustin Higgs at the Federal Prison in Terre Haute, Ind. “I feel like I usually play well and close strong.” “Playing that well on the weekend was obviously huge,” he said. He said he’s kept the good mindset he had with his play at Augusta National last week. Sabbatini strung together nine straight pars to close his round.Ĭantlay bounced back after putting up a 72 in the second round with a bogey-free round. He opened his third round this time with a double-bogey 6, but rallied with six birdies the rest of the way to stay close. He was the 54-hole leader with three sub-70 rounds before ballooning to a 75 on Sunday. Poulter is seeking a bit of payback on Harbour Town after last year. Lowry was among 56 competitors who had to finish the rain-delayed second round in the morning. “Even making those bogeys, it was the best I’ve been in a while (to stay in position for a victory),” he said.

Dustin higgs wikipedia