Mississippi
Richard Gerald Jordan’s final words before Mississippi execution
Richard Gerald Jordan apologized to his victim’s family and pleaded for forgiveness in his final statement before being executed in Mississippi on Wednesday.
Jordan, 79, had kidnapped and killed a bank loan officer’s wife in a violent ransom scheme, for which he was sentenced to death in 1976. He was the longest-serving man on Mississippi’s death row.
“First I would like to thank everyone for a humane way of doing this. I want to apologize to the victim’s family,” Jordan said in his final statement.
He also thanked his lawyers and wife, and asked for forgiveness. “I will see you on the other side, all of you,” he said.
Mississippi Department of Corrections via AP, File
The Context
Jordan, a Vietnam War veteran with post-traumatic stress disorder, was sentenced to death in 1976 for killing and kidnapping Edwina Marter.
Court records say that Jordan called the Gulf National Bank in Gulfport and asked to speak with a loan officer in January 1976. After he was told that Charles Marter could speak to him, he hung up. He then looked up the Marter’s home address in a telephone book and kidnapped Edwina Marter.
According to court records, Jordan took her to a forest and fatally shot her before calling her husband, claiming she was safe and demanding $25,000.
What To Know
Jordan died by lethal injection at the Mississippi State Penitentiary in Parchman on Wednesday evening.
He lay on the gurney with his mouth slightly open and took several deep breaths before becoming still, according to witnesses. The time of death was given as 6:16 p.m.
The execution went ahead after three applications for an emergency stay were denied by the U.S. Supreme Court without comment.
Jordan had cited post-traumatic stress disorder related to his service in Vietnam in his appeals for clemency.
What People Are Saying
Keith Degruy, a spokesperson for Marter’s family, read a statement on behalf of her two sons and husband, who did not attend the execution. “Nothing will bring back our mom, sister and our friend. Nothing can ever change what Jordan took from us 49 years ago. Jordan tried desperately to change his ruling so he can simply die in prison. We never had an option,” the statement said.
Jordan’s lawyer Krissy Nobile said in a statement to The Clarion Ledger: “He was a remarkable man — a Vietnam Veteran, a man of deep faith, a pilot, a writer, an inventor, a loved family member, husband, and friend, and a force for good while in prison.
“Before the State executed Richard, he had received Tier Worker status in prison, a position of trust given to inmates who have shown good behavior and no record violation reports for a long period of time. Richard was a mentor to other inmates and known for lessening conflicts among his peers.”
She added that the jury “never heard about Richard’s service to his country and his resulting PTSD before sentencing him to death.”
What Happens Next
Four more men are scheduled to be put to death in three states in 2025. The first is the execution of Michael Bell in Florida, which is scheduled to take place on July 15.
Inside the new Lego retailer, Bricks & Minifigs
Customers can buy or sell Legos and get individual bricks at the new store in Montrose.
Shoppers visiting Renaissance at Colony Park later this month will notice a big change.
Apple is moving to a new and larger store within the Ridgeland shopping center, while LEGO plans to take over Apple’s current location once the move is complete, according to Apple and other industry sources.
Apple has announced that its new store will open July 24 near the development’s Show Fountain. The company is not leaving Ridgeland. Instead, it is moving to a new location a short distance away inside Renaissance at Colony Park.
The company has operated a store at Renaissance for more than a decade. Once Apple moves into its new store, LEGO plans to open in the company’s former space. The addition will bring another well-known international brand to central Mississippi and give LEGO fans a dedicated store in the Jackson metro area.
It is another win for Ridgeland with last week’s announcement that a Dave & Buster’s that will be located at the PradoVista development near Topgolf. A site plan and architectural review for Dave & Buster’s was approved at the Ridgeland Board of Aldermen meeting on Tuesday, July 7.
Renaissance at Colony Park continues to thrive
Over the years, the center has attracted a mix of national retailers, restaurants and specialty stores. Previous developments at Renaissance have included luxury retailers, popular restaurant chains and entertainment options that draw shoppers from across Mississippi and neighboring states.
Apple’s new location will continue offering product sales, technical support and repair services. Customers will also be able to attend the company’s “Today at Apple” classes and workshops, which provide free lessons on photography, video, music and other topics.
Apple has not released details about the size of the new store. The Ridgeland project is one of several store moves announced this summer.
Renaissance keeps storefront
For Renaissance, the deal works in several ways.
Apple stays at the shopping center and receives a newer storefront. At the same time, the center fills Apple’s former location with another high-profile retailer instead of leaving the space vacant.
LEGO stores are often considered destination retailers because customers will drive long distances to visit them. Families, collectors and hobbyists frequently seek out official LEGO stores for exclusive products and special events.
For shoppers, the most immediate change will be Apple’s July 24 opening. Customers who need repairs, technical help or product purchases will be directed to the new store after the move.
LEGO has not yet announced an opening date.
Ross Reily is a writer for the Clarion Ledger, part of the USA TODAY Network. He can be reached at rreily@gannett.com or 601-573-2952. You can follow him on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter @GreenOkra1.
JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – Mississippi leaders across the board are reflecting on the legacy of service Sen. Lindsey Graham had in Washington, D.C.
3 On Your Side spoke on the phone with Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith who shared that Graham treated her like a little sister when she arrived to the Senate.
Their friendship grew outside of work, but one thing she’ll really cherish is the teamwork they developed to get things done with President Donald Trump.
“There were times he would come to me and say, OK sister, you’re going to have to break this news to Trump. If it was a difficult situation, he would say you got to soften him up, you call him and then I’ll call him after you but you’re the one that’s going to have to take care of this. Or you’ve got to go to Mar-a-Lago and handle this, but we were a pretty good team together because we were both close to the President,” said Sen. Hyde-Smith.
Sen. Hyde-Smith added, since coming to Washington, D.C., she looked up to Sen. Graham like an older brother in the chamber.
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STARKVILLE — Mississippi State baseball signee Landon Brown will play for the Bulldogs instead of signing a pro contract, he told the Clarion Ledger on July 12 during the 2026 MLB Draft.
Brown, a right-handed pitcher from Rosharon, Texas, was ranked as the No. 77 prospect by MLB.com. He pitched and played corner infield for Iowa Colony while winning Brazoria County Player of the Year.
He won’t be eligible again for the MLB draft until 2029.
Brown is 6-foot-4, 210 pounds. He has a fastball that reaches 98 mph as part of a four-pitch mix. He also throws a slider, cutter and splitter.
Brown committed to Mississippi State in 2024 under previous coach Chris Lemonis.
He is the third high school draft prospect to reveal he will play for MSU instead of signing a pro contract. Shortstop Noah Danza withdrew from the MLB draft before it began, and pitcher Denton Lord announced after the fifth round that he was heading to Mississippi State.
Three Mississippi State signees were drafted in the first 10 rounds: shortstop Rocco Maniscalco, catcher Will Brick and outfielder Martin Shelar.
Landon Brown stats
- 66⅔ innings
- 0.63 ERA
- 110 strikeouts
- 13 walks
- .424 batting average
- 13 home runs
Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@usatodayco.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
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