The United States of America executed Louis Bernard Gaskin (March 11, 1967 – April 12, 2023) on April 12, 2023, for the murdeɼs of Robert and Georgette Sturmfels and the attempted murdeɼs of Joseph and Mary Rector on the night of December 20, 1989.
The public dubbed him the Ninja Kἰller because he hid his identity by donning a full black ninja suit. Gaskin’s execution was scheduled for April 12, 2023, and Governor Ron DeSantis signed the deἀth warrant on March 13, 2023. On that date, the state put him to deἀth.
How Many Persons has Louis Gaskin Kἰlled?
Gaskin, then 24, armed with a.22 caliber rifle and disguised as a ninja, broke into the home of Robert and Georgette Sturmfels, then 56 and 55, on the night of December 20, 1989. Palm Coast was then part of unincorporated Flagler County.
Gaskin went around the back of the house to the window where Robert and Georgette were lounging on a recliner and sofa, respectively. Gaskin opened fire, striking Robert five times before he died and striking Georgette once. After the first bullet missed its target, Gaskin reloaded and shot Georgette in the head, kἰlling her instantly.
Gaskin arrived at the home of Joseph and Mary Rector a few hours later. Gaskin opened fire on the Rectors’ house as they watched TV, striking Joseph. In the nick of time, Joseph made his escape. When Mary and Joseph heard Gaskin smash the back window, they hid in a cupboard until it was safe to come out to the automobile, where Gaskin opened fire.
The Rectors were able to escape in their car and drive to a local hospital because every bullet missed its target. After calling the police, a search of the residence confirmed that it had been plundered.
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Indictment and Sentencing of Louis Gaskin
The 30th of December saw the arrest of Gaskin. At first, he claimed he had nothing to do with the murdeɼs. Later though he admitted to the murdeɼs and claimed his actions were random. He admitted on video that he felt the need to kἰll. He also admitted to kἰlling an employee in 1986.
The “presents” were traced back to the Sturmfels after a search of Gaskin’s house. Gaskin was put on trial for two months starting in July 1990 and was found guilty of first-degree murdeɼ on two charges and attempted murdeɼ on two counts; he was sentenced to deἀth on both counts. From the time of his arrest until the time of his deἀth, he was housed at the Florida State Prison in Raiford, Florida.
Louis Gaskin the “Ninja Kἰller” was executed in Florida for the 1989 kἰllings of a New Jersey couple
The “ninja kἰller” who murdeɼed a Florida couple over 30 years ago was put to deἀth in the state on Wednesday 12 April.
The deἀth by lethal injection of Louis Bernard Gaskin was confirmed by the office of Governor Ron DeSantis at 6:15 p.m. After kἰlling Robert and Georgette Sturmfels on December 20, 1989, Gaskin was found guilty of first-degree murdeɼ.
Department of Corrections spokeswoman Kayla McLaughlin Smith claimed that Gaskin ate his final meal at 9:45 a.m., which consisted of BBQ pig ribs, pork and turkey neck, Buffalo wings, shrimp fried rice, french fries, and water.
McLaughlin Smith said that Gaskin’s sister did visit him before his execution, but Gaskin did not consult with a spiritual leader.
No Sturmfels family members were present for the execution. Gaskin earned the nickname “ninja kἰller” because he allegedly murdeɼed the New Jersey-based Sturmfels in their Flagler County holiday home using a.22-caliber rifle while dressed in an all-black ninja outfit.
Gaskin’s house was searched after it was discovered that a clock, two lights, and a videocassette recorder had been taken during the double homicide. According to the investigation, he planned on giving them to his girlfriend as Christmas presents.
Gaskin was found guilty of multiple crimes on the same night, including armed robbery, burglary, and attempted murdeɼ of a local couple. Local media at the time said that he instantly confessed and told a psychotherapist that he was aware of the gravity of his actions.
In 1990, a jury recommended Gaskin’s deἀth sentence by a vote of 8-4, and the judge accepted it. Since then, Gaskin has filed numerous appeals, all of which have been rejected by higher courts.
A bill that would allow an 8-4 jury recommendation to be adequate for capital punishment is expected to be delivered to Gov. Ron DeSantis this week. Currently, state law needs unanimous agreement by jurors for the deἀth penalty.
After only executing two people in his first four years in office, the Republican governor has significantly increased the number of execution warrants in the state this year. It will be Florida’s 100th execution since the deἀth penalty was reinstated in 1976, and it will occur just six weeks after the execution of convicted criminal Donald Dillbeck, 59.
In three weeks, there will be yet another execution. The number of people on deἀth row in the state is close to 300.
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