Georgia executed a man who was convicted in 1998

In Georgia was executed on Wednesday a man who was convicted in 1998 for the murder of the head of the owner of the trucking company and two children during a home burglary.

Daniel Anthony Lucas became the fifth man executed in the state this year. He was sentenced to death by injection of the barbiturate pentobarbital at the state prison in Jackson. Witness warden Bruce Chatman announced the time of death at 9:54 PM.

Numerous citizens who are protesting against the death penalty appeared in the jail on Wednesday afternoon and held a vigil, reports CBS branch Macon WMAZ-TV.

Penalty to Lucas brings the number of court-appointed execution in Georgia this year to five. This beats the record set in 1987 and agreed last year for the most executions carried out by the state in a calendar year since the death penalty was reinstated nationwide in 1976.

Lucas was the 42nd person who was put to death by lethal injection in Georgia, tells WMAZ.

37-year-old prisoner was sentenced to death for the murder of 37-year-old Steven moss in April 1998, his 11-year-old son Bryan and 15-year-old daughter Christina, who discovered the burglary at his home in the Central part of Georgia. Jerry and Ann moss, wife and mother of the victims, found the bodies when he arrived home.

"I would like to say that I regret my crime," said Lucas, when given the opportunity to make a closing statement.

He added that he loves his friends and family, and then said a short prayer: "All beings are basically good. All beings are basically strong. All creatures generally wise...."

State Board of pardons and parole on Tuesday he wanted to spare Lucas after the hearing on the pardon. His lawyers requested the Council to intervene, citing a difficult childhood of the criminal, who suffered from drugs and violence.

His lawyers also appealed to the courts to try to stop the execution of punishment. They referred to the fact that he was 19 years old at the time of the murder and lacked maturity and judgment. Attorneys Lucas appealed to the U.S. Supreme court, which issued a brief statement denying his request and not providing any explanation for its decision.

Lucas and another man, Brandon Family, broke into the house of moss in search of drugs, cash or things they could sell to get money for drugs, according to court statements.

Rod, who was also convicted of murder, was executed in September 2010.

sections: World News, Accidents, Accidents