The state of Missouri carried out the execution of Stephen Bryant, a British national, on Tuesday evening, bringing a close to a decades-long legal battle that spanned two continents.
Bryant, 63, was pronounced dead at 6:23pm local time at the Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center in Bonne Terre. He had been convicted for the horrific 1998 murder of 22-year-old Melinda Griffin, whose body was discovered in a remote wooded area near St. Louis.
The Final Hours
In his final moments, Bryant maintained his innocence while offering condolences to his victim's family. "I'm sorry for your loss," he stated in his last official words. "But I did not commit this crime."
For his last meal, the condemned man requested a modest selection of prison food: two cheeseburgers, French fries, and a cola - a stark contrast to the gravity of his situation.
A Transatlantic Case
Bryant's case had drawn international attention due to his British citizenship and the diplomatic implications of his sentencing. Born in Coventry, he had moved to the United States in his twenties, eventually settling in Missouri where the tragic events unfolded.
The prosecution's case relied heavily on forensic evidence linking Bryant to the crime scene, though his defence team consistently challenged the validity of this evidence throughout numerous appeals.
Victim Remembered
Melinda Griffin, the young woman whose life was brutally cut short, is remembered by family as a "vibrant soul with her whole future ahead of her." Her brother, speaking to reporters after the execution, expressed relief that "justice has finally been served after all these years."
The case highlights the complex nature of international criminal justice and the ultimate penalty, raising questions about the treatment of foreign nationals within the American legal system.
