Nevada inmate voluntarily executed

Nevada executed convicted murderer Daryl Linnie Mack Wednesday night, the 12th execution in the state since the death penalty was restored in 1977.

Mack, 47, was the first Nevada convict to be executed solely on DNA evidence, the Reno Gazette-Journal reported.

Mack was also the 11th Nevada death row inmate since 1977 who has refused to fight his execution, the Gazette-Journal said. Nevada leads the nation in voluntary executions.

He was also the first black inmate to be executed in Nevada since 1977, KOLO-TV, Reno, said.

Mack was serving a life sentence for the murder of Kim Parks in 1994 when DNA evidence linked him to the 1988 rape and strangulation of Betty Jane May, 55, a divorced woman living in a boarding house.

A three-judge panel sentenced him to death in 2002 for the May murder.

Though he maintained his innocence, Mack dropped his appeals, saying he no longer wished to live on death row.

KOLO said Mack requested a final meal of a fish sandwich, french fries and soda. A Muslim, Mack also had access to a religious adviser, but did not request one.

The Gazette-Journal said Mack flashed a smile and said, "Allah is great, Allah is good," before his execution.

May's three adult children witnessed the execution.

"Mom couldn't ask for a better Mother's Day gift," the Gazette-Journal quoted son, Charles May, as saying.

© Copyright 2006 by United Press International