Florida Executes Man After 50 Years | Hattiesburg News

Seventy-four-year-old Harold Gene Lucas was executed Tuesday in Florida, becoming the first of three scheduled executions this month — and the state’s 14th this year. Convicted in 1976 for murdering 16-year-old Jill Piper after she rejected his advances, Lucas also wounded two of her friends. On death row nearly 50 years, he declined last-minute appeals, telling a judge he was “tired” and wanted it over — even joking that “the sooner its over, the better Ill enjoy it.” The execution, carried out via lethal injection at Florida State Prison, brought closure to some, including victim’s brother Lester Piper, who called it “relief,” though not quite “closure.” Tragically, Terri Rice, sister of one of the wounded survivors, died before seeing the execution — having lived with trauma for 44 years. Lucas, then 24, had a history with Piper, having dated her and worked for her family; on the night of the crime, he arrived armed with a rifle. Governor Ron DeSantis has signed warrants for two more executions later this month, as Florida continues its pace as the nation’s top executioner. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/420c1c96ecbffdad