A death row inmate in Oklahoma's final meal and words before execution have been revealed.
Per NBC News, James Coddington, 50, was sentenced to death for the murder of 73-year-old Albert Hale in 1997. At the time of Hale's slaying, a then 24-year-old Coddington was battling a severe crack cocaine and alcohol addiction.
But before he was executed, the inmate ordered a massive meal consisting of two cheeseburgers, two fish sandwiches, two large fries, and a large soda.
Despite a recommendation from the state's Pardon and Parole Board asking that his life would be spared and support from his attorneys and advocates, Coddington was still executed on Thursday (August 25) morning.
Watch KFOR Oklahoma's News 4's coverage of the news:Coddington - who was reportedly experiencing drug-induced psychosis at the time - killed his friend after he refused to give him $50 to help him with his addiction. After Hale's death, Coddington committed six armed robberies across the state.
The inmate’s lawyers and supporters had hoped his guilt for Hale’s murder, his traumatic childhood, and rehabilitation while on death row would spare his life.
During a clemency hearing before Oklahoma’s Pardon and Parole Board, Coddington apologized and expressed remorse to Hale’s family. He also insisted that he was a different person today after years of sobriety in prison.
"I'm clean, I know God, I’m not ... I’m not a vicious murderer," Coddington told the board. "If this ends today with my death sentence, OK."
Coddington had requested to Pardon and Parole Board that his sentence be changed to life in prison without the possibility of parole, however, Governor Kevin Stitt declined his request after examining the case on both sides.
According to reporters that witnessed the execution, for his final words, Coddington said: "To all my family and friends, lawyers, everyone who’s been around me and loved me, thank you. Gov. Stitt, I don’t blame you and I forgive you."
He also reportedly gave a thumbs up to his attorney, who was allegedly in tears and was pronounced dead at 10:16AM after receiving the lethal injection.
Following his execution, the murdered man's son, Mitchell Hall, said at a press conference that his family was ready to "close this chapter" as it would allow him and his family to move on after years of legal proceedings.
Mitchell stated that Coddington didn’t express remorse for his father's murder in his final words and said: "He never apologized, he never mentioned my daddy, never mentioned my family. So, there was no true remorse."