USA - Alabama. Willie McNair, 44, black, was executed

Willie McNair, 44, black, was executed today. McNair, had been on death row since 1991 for the May 21, 1990, slaying of Ella Foy Riley, white, during a robbery to get drug money. He had confessed to the crime. The Riley 6 children were able to witness the execution because Gov. Bob Riley, no relation to the victim, had signed into law a bill allowing up to six members of crime victim's family to watch the perpetrator's execution. Before today's signing, Alabama law allowed only 2 witnesses for the victim, and only two for person to be executed. McNair becomes the 4th condemned inmate to be put to death in Alabama this year, and the 42nd overall since the state resumed capital punishment in 1983. McNair becomes the 26th condemned inmate to be put to death this year in the USA and the 1162nd overall since the nation resumed executions on January 17, 1977.