ATMORE, Ala. (WDNews) – The State of Alabama carried out the execution of Geoffrey West on Thursday evening for the 1997 capital murder of Margaret Parrish Berry.
Governor Kay Ivey confirmed the decision, stating she would not exercise her clemency powers. She directed Corrections Commissioner John Hamm to proceed with West’s lawfully imposed death sentence.
“Almost 30 years ago, Margaret Parrish Berry went to work at the convenience store, but she would never get to return home. Geoffrey West went in with the intent to rob and kill, and he cowardly shot Ms. Berry in the back of the head. Alabama law imposes death as punishment for the most egregious forms of murder, and there was no question of Mr. West’s guilt by the jury in this case or any court over the last three decades. As I expressed in a letter to one of Ms. Berry’s sons, it is my solemn duty as governor to carry out these laws. Tonight, the lawfully imposed death sentence has been carried out, justice has been served, and I pray for healing for all,” Governor Ivey said in a statement…