An Oklahoma man convicted of the 1984 rape and murder of his former stepdaughter was executed Thursday morning at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester.
According to FOX News Digital, Richard Rojem Jr., 66, was administered a three-drug lethal injection and pronounced dead at 10:16 a.m.
On July 7, 1984, police found Layla Cummings’ mutilated and partially clothed body in a rural field near Burns Flat in Washita County. She had been kidnapped, raped, and fatally stabbed. Rojem Jr., who had been incarcerated for her murder since 1985, consistently denied any responsibility in her death.
“Justice for Layla Cummings was finally served this morning with the execution of the monster responsible for her rape and murder,” Attorney General Gentner Drummond said in a statement after Rojem’s death.
Rojem had a prior conviction for raping two teenage girls in Michigan, PBS News reports.
Prosecutors said he targeted Layla in retaliation after she reported him for sexual abuse, which led to his divorce from her mother and his parole violation, resulting in his return to prison.
“We remember, honor and hold her forever in our hearts as the sweet and precious 7-year-old she was,” Layla’s mother, Mindy Lynn Cummings, said in a statement read by Attorney General Gentner Drummond.
“Today marks the final chapter of justice determined by three separate juries for Richard Rojem’s heinous acts nearly 40 years ago when he stole her away like the monster he was.”
Rojem Jr. reportedly chose a final meal of two small pepperoni pizzas from Little Caesars, two cups of vanilla ice cream, and a bottle of Vernors ginger ale.
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[Featured image: Layla Cummings/Family Handout]
