Man who raped, murdered six-month-old baby executed

[twinkles**stars]

WASHINGTON (AFP) - An Ohio man convicted of raping and murdering a six-month-old baby was executed by lethal injection on Wednesday after a last-ditch plea for mercy was dismissed.

Steven Smith, 46, was declared dead at 10:29 am (1429 GMT), prison authorities in Lucasville, southern Ohio, confirmed after the execution.

Smith was sentenced to death in March 1999 for the aggravated murder of Autumn Carter, the daughter of his girlfriend, in September 1998. The baby died from trauma and asphyxiation after being crushed during the assault.

Smith's lawyers had argued he should be spared the death penalty on the grounds that he had not intended to kill his victim during a drunken rape. However, repeated appeals were unsuccessful.

Ohio Governor John Kasich -- who has commuted four death sentences in the past and is on record as having reservations about capital punishment -- also rejected a plea for clemency after taking advice from the Ohio Parole Board.

"Smith took the life of an innocent 6-month-old infant while using the baby to sexually gratify himself," the board said.

"It is hard to fathom a crime more repulsive or reprehensible in character. It is clearly among the worst of the worst."

[j*oono]

And there was me thinking that I didn't agree with the death penalty.

[*pepe]

oh what a shame he is dead, said no person ever.

[twinkles**stars]

I recall this happening and felt repulsed at the time. But had nothing more until today.

[the_hawk*]

If there is no doubt of his crime, then it was the right thing.

one less oxygen thief

[newstart2380]

Such a quick death was to easy for him, he should have suffered some of the paid and  indignity that poor baby and family had to endure.

I have a very good idea what I would have liked to have done to him but I can't tell you on here.

[*pepe]

he did get off easy, but he can never do this again and i think that is what really matters

[twinkles**stars]

Being on death row for so many years I'm sure he must have suffered. Not in the way many would have liked but surely mentally at what he had done.

I hope the childs mother was able to move on with her life.....something I doubt I could ever do after such an horrendous crime.

[patchoo78]

Being on death row for so many years I'm sure he must have suffered. Not in the way many would have liked but surely mentally at what he had done.

I hope the childs mother was able to move on with her life.....something I doubt I could ever do after such an horrendous crime.

Not to mention what happens to child rapists and killers in prison...

[*pepe]

they are fairly well protected in death row, i doubt much happened to him at all