Stephen Stanko, a 57-year-old conman and murderer, was executed by lethal injection on June 13 for the brutal killings of his girlfriend and her stepfather. Prosecutors characterized him as a calculating psychopath, whereas his attorneys claimed he was insane at the time of the crimes. Stanko was on death row for 20 years, having committed the murders and a subsequent rape in 2005, which included attacking his girlfriend’s 15-year-old daughter while strangling her mother. His actions sparked a nationwide manhunt when he fled, only to be found mingling with the public under a false identity.
In his final statements, Stanko requested forgiveness from his victims’ families, asserting that he was more than the terrible act for which he was judged. He detailed a life filled with accomplishments before his crimes and expressed hope that his execution might bring closure to the victims’ families. His last meal consisted of seafood and desserts, and he was pronounced dead shortly after 6:30 PM.
Despite his attorneys’ claims that South Carolina’s execution methods constituted cruel and unusual punishment, courts dismissed this argument. Stanko’s background revealed a history of violence, including a previous conviction for kidnapping and attempted murder in 1996. His behavior in prison entailed authorship and efforts to mentor fellow inmates.
While courts and public perception branded him a conman, friends and families of the victims highlighted the caring nature of Stanko’s victims, emphasizing their trustfulness, which Stanko exploited. The case raised critical discussions about mental health, the death penalty, and victim rights in the United States.
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