USA - Mississippi executed Dale Leo Bishop

Mississippi executed Dale Leo Bishop. He was convicted in 2000 of participating in the December 1998 murder of Marcus Gentry, 22. At the end of his 2000 trial, Bishop waived his right to a jury sentencing and asked the presiding judge to give him the death penalty. Bishop said he later changed his mind about wanting to die after being prescribed medication for a bipolar disorder diagnosed in prison. The other man convicted of Gentry's murder, Jessie Johnson, is serving a life sentence. Testimony from that night indicated Johnson, Gentry, Bishop and Ricky Myhand were riding around and drinking beer on the evening of the killing and an argument began between Johnson and  Gentry. Johnson hit Gentry over the head with a hammer. When Gentry jumped from the car and fled, Bishop ran after him and took him back to the car, where he was hit and kicked numerous times. Myhand reported the killing to police and led investigators to the body. He was not charged. Johnson was the only one who hit Gentry with the hammer, according to testimony. In a Dec. 13, 1998, statement, Bishop acknowledged holding Gentry while Johnson struck him. Johnson, who was tried separately, is serving life in prison. 16 protesters rallied outside the Mississippi Delta prison, calling for the execution to be halted. The Rev. Greg Plata, of Greenwood, said it's unfair that Bishop is being put to death when Johnson is not. "They both should be given a life sentence," Plata said. Bishop becomes the 2nd condemned inmate to be put to death this year in Mississippi and the 10th overall since the state resumed capital punishment in 1983. Bishop becomes the 13th condemned inmate to be put to death this year in the USA and the 1112th overall since the nation resumed executions on January 17, 1977.