Convicted murderer Walter Barton Executed

Walter Barton was put to death by lethal injection yesterday for fatally stabbing an 81-year-old woman nearly three decades ago.

Barton had long maintained he was innocent of killing Gladys Kuehler. His case was tied up for years due to appeals, mistrials and two overturned convictions. Yesterday Gov. Parson denied Barton’s clemency request, clearing the way for his execution.

Until Tuesday, no one had been executed in the U.S. since Nathaniel Woods was put to death in Alabama on March 5 because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Several states postponed or canceled executions over the past 2.5 months. Ohio, Tennessee and Texas were among states calling off executions. Texas delayed six executions due to the pandemic.