United States: Female serial killer executed

Aileen Wuornos was executed by the Florida Department of Corrections on October 9. Wuornos, a prostitute who was abused as a child, admitted to killing six men in 1989 and 1990. When charged with the murder of Richard Mallory in 1989, Wuornos initially pled self-defense, saying he tried to rape her. She then pled guilty to five other killings.

After a decade on death row, Wuornos requested the death penalty. She fired her attorneys and waived her right to further appeals. Her actions, along with her demeanor, caused her attorneys to question Wuornos' sanity. After a mental examination, she was found competent by three psychiatrists.

While awaiting the lethal injection, Wuornos' final words were: "I'd just like to say I'm sailing with the Rock and I'll be back like Independence Day with Jesus, June 6, like the movie, big mothership and all. I'll be back."

(Extensive coverage of her arrest and prosecution can be found in the June 1993 issue of off our backs.)

-info from the Independent