An Ohio man convicted of raping and killing a child was put to death by lethal injection Wednesday morning, July 26, ending a three-year delay for executions in the state over a lethal injection drug shortage.
Ronald Phillips, 43, was pronounced dead at the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility in Lucasville at 10:43 a.m. EST, according to the Akron Beacon Journal. Before he died, the Journal reported that he expressed remorse for his “evil actions” and apologized to the family of the victim who had gathered.
“Sheila Marie didn’t deserve what I did to her,” said Philips when he gave his final statement, ending with “I love you all and God bless you. Thank you.”
Family of the victim told local media that this was the first time in 24 years that they had heard Phillips express remorse for his actions.
Phillips was 19 when he and his girlfriend were both arrested for the death of his girlfriend’s 3-year-old daughter, Sheila Marie Evans.
Phillips was given the death sentence for murder and rape, while his girlfriend, Fae Amanda Evans, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter for failing to protect her daughter. Evans died of cancer in prison in 2008 while serving a 13- to 30-year sentence.
A reporter for the Columbus Dispatch who witnessed the execution said that Phillips did not struggle after the lethal injection was administered.
