McGuire’s attorneys had attempted to halt his execution last week, arguing the untried method put him at substantial risk of “agony and terror” during the execution. The state during court proceedings argued that though the Constitution protects from cruel punishment, that may not mean a completely comfortable death.
“You’re not entitled to a pain-free execution,” Assistant Atty. Gen. Thomas Madden said in court.
According to the Associated Press, McGuire made loud snorting noises during one of the longest executions since Ohio resumed capital punishment in 1999.
Strapped to a gurney in the execution chamber, McGuire thanked Stewart’s family for their “kind words” in a letter he apparently received from them.
“I’m going to heaven, I’ll see you there when you come,” he said through a microphone held by the warden.
As his adult children sobbed a few feet away in a witness room, McGuire opened and shut his left hand as if waving to his daughter, son and daughter-in-law.
More than a minute later he raised himself up, looked in the direction of his family and said, “I love you. I love you” — his words audible even though the microphone had been removed.