GEORGIA (USA): J.W. LEDFORD EXECUTED

J.W. Ledford Jr., 45, White, was executed. He was convicted of murder in the January 31, 1992 stabbing death of Dr. Harry Johnston, 73. Ledford told police he had a number of beers and smoked a couple joints in the hours before the killing. Ledford becomes the 1st inmate executed this year in Georgia and the 70th overall since the state resumed capital punishment in 1983. The state executed 9 inmates last year. Ledford becomes the 11th inmate to be put to death this year in the USA and the 1453rd overall since the nation resumed executions on January 17, 1977.