McAlester News-Capital, McAlester, OK

State news

Related Photos

  • Michael Hooper Photo courtesy of the Oklahoma Department of Corrections

    Hooper,-Michael.jpg
August 14, 2012

Convicted murderer executed at OSP

By Rachel Petersen Staff Writer

McALESTER — An Oklahoma State Penitentiary death row inmate, convicted of three counts of murder, was executed this evening in the prison’s execution chamber.

Michael Edward Hooper, 40, received his death sentence and was executed for the 1993 shooting murders of his ex-girlfriend, Cynthia Lynn Jarman, age 23, and her two children, Tanya Kay Jarman, age 5, and Timmy Glen Jarman, age 3.

At approximately noon today, Hooper was served his last meal: A small cranberry juice, a small coffee, a small portion of blackberries, a small portion of cherries, strawberries, a peach, an apricot, a plum, a pear, an apple, a banana and an orange.

When all witnesses were seated and able to see Hooper on the execution gurney, he turned his head and smiled at his family.

OSP Acting Warden Art Lightle asked Hooper if he had any last words.

“I just want to thank God for such an exuberant sendoff,” Hooper said. “Also my family for standing by me throughout all this. I appreciate them being there for me through the hardships.

“I’d like to ask forgiveness for all those who need it — you know who you are.

“I ask that my spirit be released directly into the hands of Jesus and I’m ready to go.

“I love you all.”

Hooper’s mother said, “Amen.”

And then at 6:08 p.m., Lightle then said, “Let the execution begin.”

The witness room was silent as Hooper was administered the lethal injections. At 6:09 p.m., Hooper looked over at his family one last time and said, “I love you all,” as his eyes fluttered and then shut.

At 6:14 p.m. the attending physician pronounced Hooper’s time of death.

A clergy member, sitting next to Hooper’s mother, turned to her and said, “He’s at peace. When you have the assurance that Michael had, he was ready to go.”

Witnessing the execution were 15 members of the victim’s family; Hooper’s mother, brother and two clergy representatives, four law enforcement representatives and two media witnesses, as well as employees from the Oklahoma Department of Corrections.

Hooper was the 183rd death row inmate to be executed in Oklahoma.

After the execution was complete, members of the victims’ family released a written statement:

“We would like to offer our sincerest condolences to the family of Mr. Hooper. This has been a long and arduous journey for all of the families. We hope to close this chapter in our lives. Tonya, Timmy and Cindy will always be in our hearts and in our minds. They will forever be missed and loved deeply.”



Contact Rachel Petersen at rpetersen@mcalesternews.com.

For more on this story, see the print or electronic editions of the McAlester News-Capital. Click here for print edition home delivery or click here to see the Smart Edition for your computer, tablet, e-reader or smart phone.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
State news
Seasonal Content
AP Video
Probe Begins After Conn. Commuter Trains Crash NTSB Begins Investigation Into Conn. Train Crash Lotto Fever Sweeps the Country Conn. Commuter Trains Collide; 60 Go to Hospital Coffee Run Leads to Hatchet Hitchhiker Arrest Fmr. IRS Head Insists No Politics in Targeting CDC: Fecal Bacteria Common in Swimming Pools $1 Million in Jewels Stolen at Cannes Film Fest NM Mom Chases Down Child Abductor Raw: Crash Sends Car Into Fla. Pool Raw: Obama Sits Down With Elementary Kids Raw: Bear Falls From Tampa Tree Ousted IRS Chief: Errors Not Caused by Politics Terror Suspect Due in Court in Idaho Friday Raw: Driver Ejected From Truck, Over Bridge Could Tobacco Be the Next Biofuel? Wash. State Releases Draft Rules for Legal Pot Dying Man's Blinks Lead to Murder Conviction Officials: Texas Tornado Likely Had 200 Mph Wind Brothers Arrested in NOLA Parade Shooting
NDN Video
Twiggy, the Water Skiing Squirrel Sailor Surprises His Mom At Her CU Denver Graduation Ceremony Official: ‘Amazing’ No One Was Killed In CT Train Crash Lotto Fever Sweeps the Country Coffee Stop Leads To Arrest Of YouTube Sensation Wanted For Murder Bearded Dragon Reunited With Owner Marine Reunited with Warzone Companion Raw: Crash Sends Car Into Fla. Pool Beyonce Is Pregnant! SF baseball player overpaid $500,000 RETURNS money -- and team says KEEP IT $1 Million in Jewels Stolen at Cannes Film Fest Dad returns from Afghanistan, surprises family during Rays' first pitch See Jennifer Lopez's New $10m Hamptons Mansion Woman tricked into taking abortion pill Emma Watson Goes Pantless IRS scandal: Republicans seek to tie Obama to agency's woes Play of the Day: Flipping to Safety Pregnant Kim Kardashian Squeezes Her Swollen Feet Into Stilettos Top Videos of the Week: Angry Taco Bell Guy, Glacier Moves on House, Dog Hates Baths Cindy Crawford Stuns At Cannes
Parade
Magazine
Click HERE to read all your Parade favorites including Hollywood Wire, Celebrity interviews and photo galleries, Food recipes and cooking tips, Games and lots more.