Melbert Ford
Encyclopedia
Melbert Ray Ford, Jr. was an American
convicted double murderer who in 2010 was executed by lethal injection by the U.S. state of Georgia
after being convicted of murder in 1987.
Ford was born in Georgia
, United States
. He was convicted in 1987 of killing his former girlfriend, Martha Chapman Matich, and Lisa Chapman, her 11-year-old niece, in a March 6, 1986 robbery at Chapman’s Grocery store in Georgia. Ford had told a friend that he “was going to blow her brains out,” and devised a plan to rob the store, saying he intended to kidnap Matich, take her into the woods, make her beg and then shoot her in the forehead.
of Pardons and Paroles. A court had previously held that to go forward with an execution without a full five-member board is a violation of the Georgia Constitution.
Georgia's Supreme Court rejected an appeal from Ford on June 9 which could have stayed his execution on the same day. The Georgia Supreme Court unanimously denied Ford's motion to halt his execution. On June 9, 2010, Ford was executed by lethal injection. He had requested a last meal
of fried fish
and shrimp
, baked potato
, salad
, boiled corn
, ice cream
, cheesecake
and soda
.
His last words were ""I wish to thank all my family and my friends and my loved ones."
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
convicted double murderer who in 2010 was executed by lethal injection by the U.S. state of Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
after being convicted of murder in 1987.
Ford was born in Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. He was convicted in 1987 of killing his former girlfriend, Martha Chapman Matich, and Lisa Chapman, her 11-year-old niece, in a March 6, 1986 robbery at Chapman’s Grocery store in Georgia. Ford had told a friend that he “was going to blow her brains out,” and devised a plan to rob the store, saying he intended to kidnap Matich, take her into the woods, make her beg and then shoot her in the forehead.
Execution
Ford was executed by lethal injection on June 9, 2010. He was the 24th inmate put to death by lethal injection in the U.S state of Georgia. He was previously granted a 90-day stay in mid-February because there was a vacancy on the Georgia BoardBoard
-Flat surface:* Lumber, or other rigid material, milled or sawn flat** See :Category:Engineered wood** Cutting board** Sounding board, of a musical instrument* Cardboard* Paperboard*Corrugated fiberboard*Fiberboard*Particle board, also known as chipboard...
of Pardons and Paroles. A court had previously held that to go forward with an execution without a full five-member board is a violation of the Georgia Constitution.
Georgia's Supreme Court rejected an appeal from Ford on June 9 which could have stayed his execution on the same day. The Georgia Supreme Court unanimously denied Ford's motion to halt his execution. On June 9, 2010, Ford was executed by lethal injection. He had requested a last meal
Last meal
The last meal is a customary part of a condemned prisoner's last day. Often, the day of, or before, the appointed time of execution, the prisoner receives a last meal, as well as religious rites, if they desire. In the United States, inmates generally may not ask for an alcoholic drink...
of fried fish
Fish
Fish are a paraphyletic group of organisms that consist of all gill-bearing aquatic vertebrate animals that lack limbs with digits. Included in this definition are the living hagfish, lampreys, and cartilaginous and bony fish, as well as various extinct related groups...
and shrimp
Shrimp
Shrimp are swimming, decapod crustaceans classified in the infraorder Caridea, found widely around the world in both fresh and salt water. Adult shrimp are filter feeding benthic animals living close to the bottom. They can live in schools and can swim rapidly backwards. Shrimp are an important...
, baked potato
Baked potato
A baked potato, or jacket potato, is the edible result of baking a potato. When well cooked, a baked potato has a fluffy interior and a crisp skin. It may be served with fillings and condiments such as butter, cheese or ham....
, salad
Salad
Salad is any of a wide variety of dishes, including vegetable salads; salads of pasta, legumes, eggs, or grains; mixed salads incorporating meat, poultry, or seafood; and fruit salads. They may include a mixture of cold and hot, often including raw vegetables or fruits.Green salads include leaf...
, boiled corn
Corn
Corn is the name used in the United States, Canada, and Australia for the grain maize.In much of the English-speaking world, the term "corn" is a generic term for cereal crops, such as* Barley* Oats* Wheat* Rye- Places :...
, ice cream
Ice cream
Ice cream is a frozen dessert usually made from dairy products, such as milk and cream, and often combined with fruits or other ingredients and flavours. Most varieties contain sugar, although some are made with other sweeteners...
, cheesecake
Cheesecake
Cheesecake is a dessert consisting of a topping made of soft, fresh cheese, usually on a crust or base made from biscuit , pastry or sponge cake. They may be baked or unbaked...
and soda
Soda
- Food and beverages :* Soft drink, a beverage product* Carbonated water, also known as "soda water"* Ice cream soda, a dessert dish* Soda cracker, or saltine cracker* Soda bread, a variety of quick bread- Science, technology, and biology :...
.
His last words were ""I wish to thank all my family and my friends and my loved ones."