Murder Victim’s Family Member Hopeful As Oklahoma Executions Resume

It has been half a decade since Oklahoma's last execution by lethal injection was carried out in the state. Despite two botched executions and national criticism, Governor Kevin Stitt, Attorney General Mike Hunger and DOC officials announced the death pen

Thursday, February 13th 2020, 10:35 pm

By: Clayton Cummins

Murder Victim’s Family Member Hopeful As Oklahoma Executions Resume

It has been half a decade since Oklahoma's last execution by lethal injection was carried out in the state.

Despite two botched executions and national criticism, Governor Kevin Stitt, Attorney General Mike Hunger and DOC officials announced the death penalty will soon continue.

Nearly 15 years have passed since Amy Wright, 26, was murdered in a mobile home on Southeast 29th Street in Oklahoma City.

Wright’s uncle, Larry Lyles, hasn't forgotten the day.

“For what happened to happen to her, it just devastated me,” said Lyles. “I was beside myself. I was at work when I found out.”

In May 2005, Wright was among three other victims shot multiple times by now 35-year-old Gilbert Postelle.

Police said he shot more than 30 rounds from an AK-47 stile rifle, striking all four victims. Postelle was sentenced to death in 2008.

“Every day I think about this stuff,” said Lyles. “Every day I see something similar to it on the television and it just brings back old memories.”

Over a decade later, Postelle remains on death row.

The state announcing it'll start executions once again, Lyles said, may finally bring closure.

“Did they care about their victims’ feelings whenever they did the crime? Did they care about the victims suffering? No,” said Lyles. “They didn't care, so once you’re on the slab to be executed, that’s just part of it.”

In January, Representative Jason Dunnington filed House Bill 2876 that would abolish the death penalty. A bill that is still in its early stages.

“It would pain me to know that my time is going to end before his and I haven't done anything wrong,” said Lyles. “I’ve just lived a good life and tried to do what was right. I’ve gone through life without having to murder anybody or punish anybody.”

It'll be about 150 days before the first execution is scheduled.

Officials will be using the original three drug cocktail.

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