Oklahoma Death Row Inmate Executed After 40 Years Of Incarceration

Oklahoma Death Row inmate Richard Rojem was executed on Thursday morning after spending 40 years behind bars for the kidnapping, rape, and murder of his 7-year-old stepdaughter.

Rojem was convicted and sentenced to death after his 7-year-old stepdaughter Layla Dawn Cummings was murdered in Elk City in 1984.

Now, 40 years later, Cummings' family members said few words can describe the unbearable pain of losing their family member.

"I have become weary all these years pressing against that prison door trying to keep him in," Vicky Cummings, Layla's aunt, said. "Having to relive and reiterate this horror time and time again"

Over the past four decades, three different juries have sentenced Rojem to death, but the first two convictions were overturned due to jury errors.

Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond said Rojem is a "real-life monster who deserves the same absence of mercy he showed to the child he savagely murdered."

However, Rojem continues to maintain his innocence.

"An innocent man doesn't ever plead guilty to a crime he hasn't committed," Rojem said. "The reason for that is obvious: if there's justice to be had, it won't be had."

Rojem was unanimously denied clemency in June.

He was executed on Thursday at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary with the time of death at 10:16 a.m.

Drummond released a statement after the execution saying:

"Justice for Layla Cummings was finally served this morning with the execution of the monster responsible for her rape and murder. Layla’s family has endured unimaginable suffering for almost 40 years. My prayer is that today’s action brings a sense of comfort to those who loved her.”