Convicted Killer Executed In Del. - WMDT 47 News - Delmarva's Choice

SMYRNA, Del. - An early morning execution has been carried out in the First State.

According to the Delaware Department of Correction, Shannon Johnson was put to death by lethal injection and pronounced dead at 2:55 a.m. on Friday.

Johnson was convicted of shooting 25-year-old Cameron Hamlin in 2006 after Johnson found him sitting in a car with his ex-girlfriend.

This morning's execution comes after a federal appeals court overturned a judge's decision to halt the execution for a second time.

Johnson waived his right to further appeals of his murder conviction. However, federal public defenders last week sought to intervene in his case without his consent for the second time. They argued that he was mentally incompetent, but a state judge concluded he was not.

Officials say Johnson's last words were "Loyalty is important. Without loyalty you have nothing. Death before dishonor." Johnson then made a statement in Arabic.

Governor Jack Markell released a statement following the execution. He stated "Our thoughts tonight are with the Hamlin family, Lakeisha Truitt and her family, and all of those who have suffered from Mr. Johnson's callous crimes. My God rest his soul."

Johnson's body has been released to the State's Medical Examiner's Office, which is standard procedure.