USA - Florida. William Happ, 51, White, was executed. He was the first inmate to be executed using the midazolam hydrochlride

William Frederick Happ, 51, White,  was executed. He was the first inmate to be executed using the sedative midazolam hydrochlride (500 milligrams), which is commercially known as Versed (see Oct. 14). Happ confessed to the May 1986 rape and murder of Angela Crowley, 21, before receiving a lethal dose of chemicals. "The terrible murder of Angela Crowley has been clouded by circumstantial evidence and uncertainty," he said. "To my agonizing shame I must confess to the crime. Happ becomes the 6th inmate to be put to death this year in Florida, the 80th overall since the state resumed capital punishment in 1979,  the 31st inmate to be put to death this year in the USA and the 1351st overall since the nation resumed executions on January 17, 1977.