Families Of Victims Speak After Donald Grant Execution

Donald Grant was executed today for killing two Del City hotel workers in 2001 Brenda McElyea and Suzzette Smith.

Brenda’s sister said justice was finally served. Many family members of the victims' families showed up to witness grants execution and see justice served. Witnesses to Grant's execution describe it as fast, peaceful, and uneventful.

Grant was asked if he had any final words and witnesses say he rattled off disjointed sentences and phrases for two minutes. Witnesses say Grant did have a minister in the execution chamber with him as well as seven family members and friends in the viewing area.

They say he appeared to stop breathing at around 10:11 a.m. and then the doctor came in the chamber at 10:16 and declared Grant dead.

Brenda McElyea’s sister said their father's dying wish was to see justice served for Brenda and although he didn’t live to see it, she says she knows he is relieved today.

“Although Donald Grants execution does not bring Brenda back, it allows us all to finally move forward knowing justice was served. Where there once was doubt justice would ever be served, there is now none and we can move forward and the memories of the murder, trial, and years spent waiting can be replaced with happier moments of Brenda," said Shirl Pilcher.

Pilcher said she is now ready to start remembering her sister for her beauty instead of the brutality of her death.

This is the third execution Oklahoma has carried out since the state resumed them last October.

Gilbert Postelle is set to be executed on February 17th.