OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Justin Humphrey, R-Lane, today commented on the execution of Phillip Dean Hancock. Humphrey serves as chair of the House Criminal Justice and Corrections Committee and was on hand at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester during the execution. 

"Today, Oklahoma executed a man who was clearly exercising his God-given right to defend himself," Humphrey said. "I'm very disappointed the governor did not follow the recommendation of the Pardon and Parole Board to grant clemency to this individual.

"Based on a tape played during the clemency hearing, it was abundantly evident this was a self-defense case that should never have been eligible for the death penalty.

"Conservatives across the state who are second-amendment, self-defense supporters contacted the governor asking for clemency as well as many in the Republican party. It is highly unusual for conservatives to take a stance against the death penalty. Like me, most completely support the death penalty, but we unfortunately have found situations where there are glaring inconsistencies and instances of the death penalty being wrongly carried out.

"By allowing this to continue, our state is given a black eye, and we give fodder to death penalty opponents who will use this against us."