By AP/KWMU
Bonne Terre, MO – Missouri corrections officials executed Marlin Gray just after midnight this morning (Wednesday).
Gray was convicted of killing two women 14 years ago. The Kerry sisters were also raped before being thrown off the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge.
Gray maintained his innocence until the end, but the U.S. Supreme Court and Governor Matt Blunt both rejected final appeals. The state's Parole Board had also earlier recommended against granting clemency.
The 38-year old Gray received a lethal injection at the prison in Bonne Terre. The time of death was 12:07 a.m.
Three other men were also convicted in the murder of Robin and Julie Kerry. The St. Louis County women, ages 21 and 19, were raped and pushed from the old Chain of Rocks Bridge while a male cousin visiting from Maryland was restrained. The cousin then survived the 70-foot fall into the Mississippi River.