At 6:10 p.m. he was given a lethal injection.
In the last sentence of his last statement, Collings said, "I hope to see you in heaven one day."
I don't pretend to know how that works, but I'm betting the odds are against it.
The news coverage today was centered around this man who raped and murdered a 9-year-old girl and then threw her body into a sinkhole. I read about how he helped his future victim, Rowan Ford, with her homework, how he was the father of two and how he greeted people with a hug.
I learned of his tragic childhood, separated from his siblings, sexually abused.
It was the same kind of pull at the heartstrings reporting you see every time someone is nearing execution.
What you don't see is much about the victim.
So Chris Collings had a horrible childhood. At least he survived his.
You read about Chris Collings, but you didn't read about the little girl who rode her purple bicycle on the streets of Stella, who arrived at Triway Elementary every day and was loved by her teachers. She spent much of her time at her school and at her church.
Rowan Ford had a passion for learning that could have taken her far from the poverty and abuse she experienced.
All she needed was a chance.
It's easy to concentrate on the killers when they are executed, easy and lazy.
We must never forget the victims.
I was a photog on this story when it happened. I garnered from being on the original Spears interview in his families hoarder home to my coworker who knew Collings in the day…then the mom being so lost to even have such a situation around Spears…
ReplyDeleteNo one wins here in any way.
There is NO EXCUSES - For Hurting a Child, and I feel NO COMPASSION OR REMORSE, in this Bastard Dying. From a Parent's Perspective - I would have wanted him to Suffer for this Violent Act. Not give him the easy way out of his Life. Some will say he Suffered in Jail - I disregard these Idiots - He had Free Housing, Free, Meals, Free, Medical, Free Cloths, Free Counseling, Free Legal Help, Free Education, Free Recreation, Free TV, Free Training / Vocational, Some have Jobs and are Paid, this is better than most have on the Streets - the only thing he had was a Fence to stay behind - So did he really Suffer - I SAY NO! If anything don't feel sorry for this SCUM, feel sorry for Rowan Ford, who never had the opportunity to lead a full life.
ReplyDeleteSome may say that this is not God's or a Christian's prerogative to Harm another Individual - Yet, I would do anything to Protect my Child, even if it meant Killing Someone that was Hurting or had Hurt them.