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'I don't blame you’: Chilling last words of James Coddington revealed as he is executed for 1997 hammer killing

Coddington was convicted and sentenced to death for beating 73-year-old Albert Hale to death with a hammer because he refused to give him money to buy cocaine

McALESTER, OKLAHOMA: James Coddington was executed by lethal injection in Oklahoma on Thursday, August 18 for murdering Albert Hale while struggling with cocaine addiction. Coddington's appeal for mercy was denied by Gov Kevin Stitt, who also declined to reduce his sentence to life in prison without the possibility of parole. 

In his final moments, Coddington, 50, said, "To all my family and friends, lawyers, everyone who's been around me and loved me, thank you. Governor Stitt, I don't blame you, and I forgive you." Coddington gave a thumbs up to his lawyer Emma Rolls after saying his final words as she sobbed softly in the witness room, according to KSN. The execution of the convicted killer, according to officials, took place At the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester without interruption at 10.16 am.

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A former prison director claimed that despite Coddington's "commendable" behavior while inside, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt turned down his request for pardon. Governor Stitt's office stated, "After thoroughly reviewing arguments and evidence presented by all sides of the case, Governor Kevin Stitt has denied the Pardon and Parole Board's clemency recommendation for James Allen Coddington."

Coddington was found guilty and given the death penalty for using a hammer to kill 73-year-old Albert Hale. The prosecution claims that Coddington, who was 24 at the time, lost his cool when Albert refused to give him cash to buy cocaine. Coddington apologized to Albert's family and claimed to be a different person now during a parole hearing this month before the state's five-member Pardon and Parole Board.

However Mitch Hale, the son of Albert who was there throughout the execution, said he didn't think Coddington was truly sorry, pointing out that he made no mention of his father or the Hale family in his final statements. "He never apologized. He didn't bring up my dad," Mitch said. "I forgive him, but that doesn't release him from the consequences of his actions." 

In 2003, Coddington was found guilty of first-degree murder in Albert's killing in 1997. He requested Hale for money due to his severe cocaine addiction on March 5, 1997. According to court records, once Albert declined, Coddington took a hammer from the 73-year-kitchen old's and repeatedly struck him over the head with it before robbing him of $525 and running away.

From there, Coddington committed five more thefts from convenience stores before being apprehended two days later. During a police interview following his detention, he acknowledged using the hammer to strike Hale. He also acknowledged that he fled the crime scene because he thought Hale had died, but he said that he refrained from calling the police out of concern for getting caught.

Coddington's attorneys cited the man's rough upbringing and how he has since modified his behavior in his mercy appeal. Coddington grew up as one of nine children born to parents who were "not equipped to be parents," according to the petition. He allegedly suffered maltreatment and spent time with both his father and grandmother, both of whom, according to the petition, resided in houses that were "almost uninhabitable."

According to the petition, Coddington's mother was a substance abuser and dealer, which contributed to his own drug abuse. Coddington's attorneys asserted that he "attained and maintained sobriety, breaking the cycle of addiction that plagued his life since early childhood," in the years following the 1997 murder.

The victim of one of Coddington's robberies also appealed to the governor for clemency, saying in an affidavit, "If given the opportunity, Mr Coddington can help others in prison and live a life of service to others." Coddington is one of 25 death row inmates that the state plans to put to death between 2022 and 2024.