Key Takeaways:
- Richard Jordan, 79, is Mississippi’s oldest death row inmate, facing execution on June 25, 2025.
- The Mississippi Supreme Court refused to rehear his case, but the U.S. Supreme Court will discuss it next week.
- Jordan’s lawyers argue his death sentence is invalid due to a 1972 ruling that temporarily ended capital punishment.
- The state claims Jordan has delayed justice for nearly 50 years with baseless appeals.
The Final Countdown for Richard Jordan
With only days left before his scheduled execution, Richard Jordan’s fate now rests in theWith only days left before his scheduled execution, Richard Jordan’s fate now rests in the hands of the U.S. Supreme Court. hands of the U.S. Supreme Court. The 79-year-old inmate, who has spent decades on death row, is running out of options. His execution is set for June 25, but his lawyers are fighting hard to save his life.
Who Is Richard Jordan?
Jordan has been on Mississippi’s death row longer than any other inmate. He was first convicted in 1976 for kidnapping and murdering a woman named Edwina Marter. His case has been highly controversial, with four trials before he received the death penalty in 1998. Now, as he approaches 80 years old, Jordan’s legal team is making one last effort to stop his execution.
The Legal Battle Continues
The Mississippi Supreme Court recently refused to reconsider Jordan’s case. Out of nine justices, only one, Justice Leslie King, wanted to revisit the decision. This means the state court is not willing to delay or stop the execution. However, the U.S. Supreme Court will review Jordan’s case on June 18, just a week before his execution date. His lawyers are hopeful the federal court will step in.
Jordan’s attorneys filed an emergency request to halt the execution. They believe the U.S. Supreme Court might agree to hear his case and overturn the state court’s ruling. They argue that executing him now would cause “irreparable harm” if the high court later rules in his favor.
Why Is This Case Important?
The case centers on a key legal argument: whether Jordan’s death sentence is even valid. His lawyers point to a 1972 U.S. Supreme Court decision, Furman v. Georgia, which temporarily struck down the death penalty. At that time, the court said capital punishment was unconstitutional because it was applied unfairly. As a result, no executions took place in the U.S. for several years.
Jordan’s team argues that since he was sentenced to death in 1976—when the death penalty was still under review—his sentence should not stand. They claim the state’s current attempt to execute him is unfair because the legal landscape surrounding the death penalty has changed significantly since his conviction.
The State’s Perspective
On the other hand, Mississippi officials argue that Jordan has spent nearly 50 years trying to avoid his fate. They say his legal team is repeating old arguments that have already been rejected by courts. The state believes it is time to bring closure to the case and carry out the death penalty as originally intended.
A Long and Winding Road
Jordan’s case has been in the courts for decades. He has had four trials, with his death sentence being handed down in 1998. Since then, his lawyers have filed numerous appeals and motions to delay his execution. The state has repeatedly argued that enough is enough and that justice should be served.
Jordan’s current lawyers are making a last-ditch effort to save his life. They believe the U.S. Supreme Court will agree to hear his case and rule in his favor. They also argue that executing an elderly inmate like Jordan serves no purpose and goes against modern views on criminal justice.
What’s Next?
As the clock ticks down to June 25, all eyes are on the U.S. Supreme Court. The court will decide whether to take up Jordan’s case during its June 18 conference. If they agree to hear it, his execution could be delayed. If not, Jordan’s fate will be sealed.
In the meantime, Jordan’s lawyers have asked Justice Samuel Alito, who handles emergency requests from Mississippi, to halt the execution. They are hoping for a last-minute reprieve, but the state is pushing forward, saying it’s time to end this chapter.
A Case That Tests Justice
Richard Jordan’s case raises important questions about fairness, justice, and the death penalty. His lawyers argue that executing him now would be unjust, given the legal changes since his conviction. The state, however, believes it’s time to carry out the sentence after decades of delays.
As the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to weigh in, the nation is watching. Whatever the outcome, this case will have far-reaching implications for death penalty cases across the country. For now, Richard Jordan waits on death row, hoping for one final chance to escape execution.