Ronald Clinton Lott Executed for Vicious Double Rapes, Murders
Ronald Clinton Lott, 53, was executed by the State of Oklahoma last night for the first-degree murders and rapes of 83-year-old Anna Laura Fowler and 93-year-old Zelma Cutler. Lott had been on death row since 2001 and another man was originally convicted for the crimes but was set free in 1998.
Robert Lee Miller Jr. was originally convicted of the crimes and sentenced to death. He served 11 years on death row before DNA evidence proved that Lott was the one actually responsible for the rapes and murders. Lott fought his conviction and sentence but was denied clemency by the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board last month. He apologized to the victims' families during the hearing.
"I'm so sorry for what I've done, and I'd ask them to forgive me. I caused them so much hurt and pain," Lott said.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
Anna Fowler's son Jim was present at the hearing and asked the board to let Lott "rot in that damn cell" instead of giving him death.
Last night, Lott did receive a lethal injection. He remained silent during the procedure but reportedly looked at his brother and met his eyes one last time. Upon receiving the injection, his eyes closed, his breathing became labored, then stopped. Lott was pronounced dead at 6:06 p.m.
Juries heard of the brutal murders of Fowler and Cutler before sentencing Lott to death. Fowler reportedly lived alone when Lott broke into her home and attacked her in 1986. She was raped and suffered multiple injuries, including rib fractures that the medical examiner said was consistent with someone sitting on her chest. Fowler was strangled and her grandson found her body the following morning.
Cutler also lived alone; she was raped and had injuries consistent with those of Fowler's. The attacks occurred only months apart and Robert Lee Miller Jr. confessed to the crimes in 1987. He spent 11 years in prison before DNA set him free and put Lott behind bars. No members of the Fowler or Cutler families were present for the execution.
