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Mississippi set to execute man for killing 16-year-old girl

Sheila O'Flaherty, center, wears her opposition to the death penalty T-shirt, as she and other opponents participate in a vigil for inmate Thomas Edwin Loden Jr., outside the Mississippi State Penitentiary in Parchman, Miss., Wednesday evening, Dec. 14, 2022. Loden, who pleaded guilty to raping and killing a 16-year-old girl, was put to death by lethal injection on Wednesday, becoming the second inmate executed in the state in 10 years. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Death penalty opponent Rev. SallyFran Ross, speaks during a vigil for Thomas Edwin Loden Jr., outside the Mississippi State Penitentiary, in Parchman, Miss., Wednesday evening, Dec. 14, 2022. Loden, who pleaded guilty to raping and killing a 16-year-old girl, was put to death by lethal injection on Wednesday, becoming the second inmate executed in the state in 10 years. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

A death penalty opponent reads Bible scripture from the Book of Ecclesiastes during a vigil for inmate Thomas Edwin Loden Jr., at the Mississippi State Penitentiary, in Parchman, Miss., late Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022. Loden was executed for the rape and murder a 16-year-old girl. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Death penalty opponents Sheila O'Flaherty, center, and Rev. Dr. Jeff Hood and his son Phillip Hood, participate in a vigil for Thomas Edwin Loden Jr., outside the Mississippi State Penitentiary, in Parchman, Miss., Wednesday evening, Dec. 14, 2022. Loden, who pleaded guilty to raping and killing a 16-year-old girl, was put to death by lethal injection on Wednesday, becoming the second inmate executed in the state in 10 years. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Mississippi Commissioner of Corrections Burl Cain, center, holds the microphone as Jeworski Mallett, Deputy Commissioner of Institution, left, answers a question about the final words spoken by inmate Thomas Edwin Loden Jr., prior to his execution, Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022, at the Mississippi State Penitentiary in Parchman, Miss. Loden was executed for the rape and murder of a 16-year-old girl. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Mississippi Commissioner of Corrections Burl Cain, answers a reporter's question about the execution of inmate Thomas Edwin Loden Jr., Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022, at the Mississippi State Penitentiary in Parchman, Miss. Loden was executed for the rape and murder of a 16-year-old girl. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Mississippi Department of Corrections commissioner Burl Cain speaks ahead of the scheduled execution of Thomas "Eddie" Loden at Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman, Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022. (Hannah Mattix/The Clarion-Ledger via AP)

Terry Larabee, of Ridgeland, Miss., stands with a small group of people who gathered in support of the mother of Leesa Marie Gray, who at 16 was raped and murdered by Thomas Edwin Loden Jr., Wednesday evening, Dec. 14, 2022, at the Mississippi State Penitentiary in Parchman, Miss. Larabee was among a small group of people who gathered at the penitentiary in support Gray's family. Loden was put to death by lethal injection Wednesday, becoming the second inmate executed in the state in 10 years. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

A small group of people gather in support of the mother and family of Leesa Marie Gray, who at age 16 was raped and murdered by Thomas Edwin Loden Jr., who was executed late Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022, at the Mississippi State Penitentiary in Parchman, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Sheila O'Flaherty, center, wears her opposition to the death penalty T-shirt, as she and other opponents participate in a vigil for inmate Thomas Edwin Loden Jr., outside the Mississippi State Penitentiary in Parchman, Miss., Wednesday evening, Dec. 14, 2022. Loden, who pleaded guilty to raping and killing a 16-year-old girl, was put to death by lethal injection on Wednesday, becoming the second inmate executed in the state in 10 years. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Death penalty opponent Rev. SallyFran Ross, speaks during a vigil for Thomas Edwin Loden Jr., outside the Mississippi State Penitentiary, in Parchman, Miss., Wednesday evening, Dec. 14, 2022. Loden, who pleaded guilty to raping and killing a 16-year-old girl, was put to death by lethal injection on Wednesday, becoming the second inmate executed in the state in 10 years. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

A death penalty opponent reads Bible scripture from the Book of Ecclesiastes during a vigil for inmate Thomas Edwin Loden Jr., at the Mississippi State Penitentiary, in Parchman, Miss., late Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022. Loden was executed for the rape and murder a 16-year-old girl. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Death penalty opponents Sheila O'Flaherty, center, and Rev. Dr. Jeff Hood and his son Phillip Hood, participate in a vigil for Thomas Edwin Loden Jr., outside the Mississippi State Penitentiary, in Parchman, Miss., Wednesday evening, Dec. 14, 2022. Loden, who pleaded guilty to raping and killing a 16-year-old girl, was put to death by lethal injection on Wednesday, becoming the second inmate executed in the state in 10 years. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Mississippi Commissioner of Corrections Burl Cain, center, holds the microphone as Jeworski Mallett, Deputy Commissioner of Institution, left, answers a question about the final words spoken by inmate Thomas Edwin Loden Jr., prior to his execution, Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022, at the Mississippi State Penitentiary in Parchman, Miss. Loden was executed for the rape and murder of a 16-year-old girl. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Mississippi Commissioner of Corrections Burl Cain, answers a reporter's question about the execution of inmate Thomas Edwin Loden Jr., Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022, at the Mississippi State Penitentiary in Parchman, Miss. Loden was executed for the rape and murder of a 16-year-old girl. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Mississippi Department of Corrections commissioner Burl Cain speaks ahead of the scheduled execution of Thomas "Eddie" Loden at Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman, Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022. (Hannah Mattix/The Clarion-Ledger via AP)

Terry Larabee, of Ridgeland, Miss., stands with a small group of people who gathered in support of the mother of Leesa Marie Gray, who at 16 was raped and murdered by Thomas Edwin Loden Jr., Wednesday evening, Dec. 14, 2022, at the Mississippi State Penitentiary in Parchman, Miss. Larabee was among a small group of people who gathered at the penitentiary in support Gray's family. Loden was put to death by lethal injection Wednesday, becoming the second inmate executed in the state in 10 years. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

A small group of people gather in support of the mother and family of Leesa Marie Gray, who at age 16 was raped and murdered by Thomas Edwin Loden Jr., who was executed late Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022, at the Mississippi State Penitentiary in Parchman, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Jeworski Mallett, Deputy Commissioner of Institution, with the Mississippi Department of Corrections, speaks about his visit with inmate Thomas Edwin Loden Jr., Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022, during a news briefing in the Visitation Center on at the Mississippi State Penitentiary in Parchman, Miss., prior to Loden's execution. Loden pleaded guilty to raping and killing a 16-year-old girl, and is scheduled to be put to death Wednesday evening. He would become the second inmate executed in Mississippi in 10 years. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Karei McDonald Jr., executive deputy commissioner, right, ponders a reporter's question about his visit with inmate Thomas Edwin Loden Jr., Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022, during a news briefing in the Visitation Center on at the Mississippi State Penitentiary in Parchman, Miss., prior to Loden's execution. Loden pleaded guilty to raping and killing a 16-year-old girl, and is scheduled to be put to death Wednesday evening. He would become the second inmate executed in Mississippi in 10 years. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Jeworski Mallett, Deputy Commissioner of Institution, left, Karei McDonald Jr., Executive Deputy Commissioner, center, stand with state commissioner of corrections Burl Cain as they answer reporters' questions about their visit with inmate Thomas Edwin Loden Jr., Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022, during a news briefing in the Visitation Center on at the Mississippi State Penitentiary in Parchman, Miss. Loden pleaded guilty to raping and killing a 16-year-old girl, and is scheduled to be put to death Wednesday evening. He would become the second inmate executed in Mississippi in 10 years. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Jeworski Mallett, Deputy Commissioner of Institution, with the Mississippi Department of Corrections, speaks about his visit with inmate Thomas Edwin Loden Jr., Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022, during a news briefing in the Visitation Center on at the Mississippi State Penitentiary in Parchman, Miss., prior to Loden's execution. Loden pleaded guilty to raping and killing a 16-year-old girl, and is scheduled to be put to death Wednesday evening. He would become the second inmate executed in Mississippi in 10 years. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Karei McDonald Jr., executive deputy commissioner, right, ponders a reporter's question about his visit with inmate Thomas Edwin Loden Jr., Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022, during a news briefing in the Visitation Center on at the Mississippi State Penitentiary in Parchman, Miss., prior to Loden's execution. Loden pleaded guilty to raping and killing a 16-year-old girl, and is scheduled to be put to death Wednesday evening. He would become the second inmate executed in Mississippi in 10 years. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Jeworski Mallett, Deputy Commissioner of Institution, left, Karei McDonald Jr., Executive Deputy Commissioner, center, stand with state commissioner of corrections Burl Cain as they answer reporters' questions about their visit with inmate Thomas Edwin Loden Jr., Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022, during a news briefing in the Visitation Center on at the Mississippi State Penitentiary in Parchman, Miss. Loden pleaded guilty to raping and killing a 16-year-old girl, and is scheduled to be put to death Wednesday evening. He would become the second inmate executed in Mississippi in 10 years. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Jeworski Mallett, Deputy Commissioner of Institution, with the Mississippi Department of Corrections, speaks about his visit with inmate Thomas Edwin Loden Jr., Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022, during a news briefing in the Visitation Center on at the Mississippi State Penitentiary in Parchman, Miss., prior to Loden's execution. Loden pleaded guilty to raping and killing a 16-year-old girl, and is scheduled to be put to death Wednesday evening. He would become the second inmate executed in Mississippi in 10 years. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Karei McDonald Jr., executive deputy commissioner, right, ponders a reporter's question about his visit with inmate Thomas Edwin Loden Jr., Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022, during a news briefing in the Visitation Center on at the Mississippi State Penitentiary in Parchman, Miss., prior to Loden's execution. Loden pleaded guilty to raping and killing a 16-year-old girl, and is scheduled to be put to death Wednesday evening. He would become the second inmate executed in Mississippi in 10 years. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Jeworski Mallett, Deputy Commissioner of Institution, left, Karei McDonald Jr., Executive Deputy Commissioner, center, stand with state commissioner of corrections Burl Cain as they answer reporters' questions about their visit with inmate Thomas Edwin Loden Jr., Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022, during a news briefing in the Visitation Center on at the Mississippi State Penitentiary in Parchman, Miss. Loden pleaded guilty to raping and killing a 16-year-old girl, and is scheduled to be put to death Wednesday evening. He would become the second inmate executed in Mississippi in 10 years. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Attorney Emily Washington leaves a federal courthouse in Jackson, Miss., on Monday, Nov. 28, 2022, after a judge heard arguments about Mississippi's three-drug protocol for executions. Washington and attorney Jim Craig joined attorney Stacy Ferraro, who represents Thomas Edwin Loden Jr., who is scheduled for execution on Dec. 14, 2022. Craig and Washington are with the Roderick & Solange MacArthur Justice Center, which filed the 2015 lawsuit that challenges Mississippi's execution protocol. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

FILE - The front gate of the Mississippi State Penitentiary in Parchman, Miss., is shown Nov. 17, 2021. Thomas Edwin Loden Jr., 58, is set to receive a lethal injection at the penitentiary on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022. He's been on death row since 2001, when he pleaded guilty to capital murder, rape and four counts of sexual battery against 16-year old Leesa Marie Gray. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)

FILE - This May 25, 2022, photo released by the Mississippi Department of Corrections shows Thomas Edwin Loden Jr., who is set to receive a lethal injection at the Mississippi State Penitentiary in Parchman, Miss., on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022. He's been on death row since 2001, when he pleaded guilty to capital murder, rape and four counts of sexual battery against 16-year old Leesa Marie Gray.. (Mississippi Department of Corrections via AP, File)

Wanda Farris sits beside a picture of her daughter, 16-year-old Leesa Gray, that hangs inside Comer's Restaurant in Dorsey Miss., Thursday Dec. 8, 2022. Gray was kidnapped, raped and murdered by death row inmate Eddie Loden in the summer of 2000. Loden will be put to death by the state of Mississippi on Wednesday. (Thomas Wells/The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal via AP)

Wanda Farris, the mother of slain teenager Leesa Gray, second from right, is surrounded by supporters as she leaves the federal courthouse in Jackson, Miss., on Monday, Nov. 28, 2022, after they listened to several hours of arguments about Mississippi's three-drug protocol for executions. Thomas Edwin Loden Jr. pleaded guilty in 2001 to capital murder, rape and four counts of sexual battery in the 2000 death of Gray, a 16-year-old waitress from north Mississippi. Loden is a plaintiff in the lawsuit. The Mississippi Supreme Court has scheduled his execution for Dec. 14, 2022. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Mississippi set to execute man for killing 16-year-old girl