Georgia has executed the man convicted of robbing and killing an off-duty prison guard in 1996.
The death sentence of 42-year-old Marion Wilson was carried out at 9:52 p.m. Thursday, according to Warden Benjamin Ford.
13WMAZ's Randall Savage was inside the death chamber to witness the execution.
Savage says Wilson made a statement before he was executed, saying with a smile, "I want to say to my family that loved me and cared for me throughout the years, I love y'all. I have never taken a life in my life."
When given the option, Wilson accepted a final prayer. His last words were, "I'm about to be free. I'm not gonna worry about this chain gang no more."
Wilson's daughter, Tykecia Wilson, cried out when she heard the news. Before her father was put to death, Tykecia said, "I'm just gonna miss hearing his voice, hearing him call me his 'lamb chop,' and guiding me through my trials and tribulations."
The victim, Donovan Parks, was 24 years old when he was killed in 1996.