ATMORE — The State of Alabama has successfully carried out the lethal injection execution of James Osgood, 55, for the repeated rape and eventual murder of a Chilton County woman in 2010.
1819 News was selected as one of the media witnesses to observe the execution, which took place at the William C. Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore.
Osgood was convicted of two counts of murder for the 2010 murder of Tracy Brown. The murder charges were made capital because it was committed during the course of first-degree rape and first-degree sodomy.
Days before his execution, Osgood announced that he was not pursuing any last-minute appeals, seemingly accepting his fate as a just punishment for his crimes.
See: Man slated for lethal injection on Thursday drops appeals – 'I am guilty of murder'
According to court records, Osgood confessed to repeatedly raping and eventually killing Brown with the assistance of his girlfriend, Tonya Vandyke.
The jury in Osgood's case unanimously recommended the death penalty. Vandyke received a life sentence in 2015 for her role.
Osgood saw multiple friends and family members leading up to his death, including his sister, daughter, brother-in-law, and nieces, some of whom appeared to be in the witnessing room for the execution. Osgood declined his lunch tray, but did have a final meal of pizza, according to the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC).
The process began in the evening. Media and Osgood's friends or family were brought into the viewing room. The curtains opened at 6:09, following which the warden read the death warrant and asked Osgood to speak his final words.
After initially hesitating, the warden removed the microphone. Osgood then gave his final statement.
"I've never said her name since that day because I didn't feel like I had the right to," Osgood said.
He then explained that he now felt he was being disrespectful by not mentioning her name, followed by the statement, "Tracy, I apologize.
He then appeared to speak to his family present. However, his statements were inaudible.
The lethal injection protocol appeared to begin flowing at 6:12. At 6:14, he spoke, appearing to ask the guards a question.
During the process, Osgood alternated with his fingers, putting up one finger, then four, then three. This was possibly a way of saying "I love you" to those present.
At 6:15, his head went back, and his breathing became labored. At 6:17, a corrections official performed a consciousness check. One minute later, Osgood's breathing stopped. At 6:25, the curtains were closed. The official time of death from ADOC is 6:35. ADOC Commissioner John Hamm told media afterwards that Osgood required five total attempts to secure an IV line; four in one arm, one in the other. Hamm stated the high number of sticks was due to the condition of Osgood's veins in that arm.
Attorney General Steve Marshall released the following statement after the execution.
"Nearly fifteen years ago, James Osgood committed an unspeakable act of violence brutally raping and murdering Tracy Brown. A jury of his peers found him guilty and unanimously recommended the ultimate punishment: death.
"Tonight, my heart and prayers are with Tracy's family. No one should have to endure the pain they've carried or relive the horror of her tragic and senseless death. I want them to know that the State of Alabama stands with them. We are unwavering in our commitment to seek justice, not only to hold the guilty accountable, but to honor the dignity of every victim and restore peace to the communities they leave behind."
Gov. Kay Ivey likewise released a statement applauding the execution. In her statement, Ivey used the name Wilemon, which appears to be due to the surviving family's wishes to use Wilemon instead of Brown. All court records and legal documents utilize the last name Brown.
"The murder of Tracy Wilemon was premeditated, gruesome and disturbing, and tonight, the state carried out the death sentence of James Osgood. Both Mr. Osgood and his accomplice – who will never see the light of day – from the moment they were inspired by a Hollywood torture scene, set out to commit this heinous crime against Ms. Wilemon (Brown) and are now paying the price. And let's be clear: At the end of all of this, Mr. Osgood robbed Ms. Wilemon (Brown) of her life, something that can never be reversed for her or her family. I pray that her loved ones can feel some sense of closure today."
Records state that Osgood and Vandyke had discussed murder, kidnapping and torture fantasies with one another and eventually decided on Brown as their victim. Osgood, Brown and Vandyke went running errands on Oct.13, 2010. Once inside Brown's trailer, Osgood choked Brown from behind until she was nearly unconscious.
Both Osgood and Vandyke then took Brown into the bedroom, where the pair forced Brown to perform multiple sex acts. Osgood repeatedly raped Brown and forced her to perform sex acts on himself and Vandyke, including while Brown was using the bathroom.
Brown unsuccessfully attempted escape before Osgood caught her, brought her back to the bedroom and continued the sexual assault.
Osgood then took a knife out of his sock and cut Brown on the side of her neck in an attempt to cut her jugular vein. Court records say he told detectives that he began to get scared because Brown was not dying fast enough. Osgood admitted that he then stabbed Brown in the back and continued to cut her throat. Records further claim Osgood apologized to Brown, telling her it "was nothing against her" and that she just "needed to quit fighting and just let go."
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