Oklahoma executed Emmanuel Littlejohn on Thursday at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester.

The execution began at 10 a.m. and Littlejohn was declared dead at 10:17 a.m., according to media witnesses.

Littlejohn, 52, was sentenced to death for killing of Root-N-Scoot store owner Kenny Meers, 31, during a 1992 robbery in southeast Oklahoma City. 

Littlejohn’s last words were to his family stating he loved them and said everything would be OK, according to media representatives who witnessed the execution. He requested a meat pizza, two slices of cheesecake, and a Coke for his last meal.

Littlejohn’s attorneys argued Littlejohn didn’t fire the fatal shot that killed Meers and that Littlejohn was a changed man who wanted to serve the rest of his life behind bars so he could continue being a positive role model for his children and grandchildren.

The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board voted 3-2 to recommend Gov. Kevin Stit grant clemency for Littlejohn in August. But Stitt did not intervene.

Stitt, in a statement following the execution said his decision to not grant clemency was “difficult.”

“These decisions are very difficult and I do not make them lightly,” Stitt said in his statement. “Mr. Littlejohn murdered an innocent man 32 years ago while robbing a convenience store. A jury found him guilty and sentenced him to death. The decision was upheld by multiple judges. As a law and order governor, I have a hard time unilaterally overturning that decision.” Today, justice for this life lost was carried out. I hope this brings closure to the families impacted by this murder.””

Littlejohn’s mother and daughter sobbed and were visibly emotional, witnesses said. His mother clutched a gold cross necklace during the execution and repeatedly called out to God and asked if her son was dead at 10:11 a.m.

Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond spoke to the media after the execution. He read a statement from Meers’ family, who thanked everyone for doing their job. None of Meers’ family members spoke to the media after the execution was carried out.

“Justice has been served for the murder of Kenny Meers,” Drummond said in a press release. “I pray that today brings some measure of peace to the Meers family, who has waited 32 long years for justice to be served.”

Oklahoma executions since 2021
Oct. 28, 2021: John Marion Grant
Dec. 9, 2021: Bigler Jobe Stouffer II
Jan. 27, 2022: Donald Anthony Grant
Feb. 17, 2022: Gilbert Postelle
Aug. 25, 2022: James Allen Coddington
Oct. 20, 2022: Benjamin Cole
Nov. 17, 2022: Richard Fairchild
Jan. 12, 2023: Scott Eizember
July 20, 2023: Jemaine Cannon
Sep. 21, 2023: Anthony Sanchez
Nov. 30, 2023: Phillip Hancock
April 4, 2024: Michael DeWayne Smith
June 27, 2024: Richard Rojem
Sept. 26, 2024: Emmanuel Littlejohn