Derrick Dearman Executed for 2016 Murders

Derrick Dearman, 36, was executed by lethal injection in Alabama for the 2016 murders of five family members of his estranged girlfriend, a crime he committed during a drug-fueled rampage. He had dropped all appeals and requested to proceed with his execution, admitting guilt and expressing remorse for his actions. The victims included a pregnant woman and her family members, with Dearman using an ax and a gun to carry out the brutal attacks in Citronelle. His execution on October 17, 2024, marked the fifth in Alabama this year, reflecting a quick legal process in a state where executions can take years. Family members of the victims expressed mixed feelings about whether the execution would bring closure, highlighting the ongoing pain caused by Dearman’s actions. Alabama Governor Kay Ivey confirmed that she would not intervene in the execution process, emphasizing the justice served for the heinous crime.