First Transgender Executed By State of Missouri

On Tuesday, Amber McLaughlin, an inmate from Missouri, was executed for killing his girlfriend in 2003.

McLaughlin was born a biological male but later in life identified as a woman.

This is believed to be the first time a transgender was executed in the United States.

Missouri Governor Mike Parson had rejected a clemency request for McLaughlin.

During his execution, McLaughlin breathed heavily, shut his eyes, and was declared dead shortly thereafter.

NEW 🚨 Transgender Missouri inmate executed in US for fatal stabbing pic.twitter.com/txFbk7WjPw

— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) January 4, 2023

Missouri governor rejects clemency application of 49-year-old Amber McLaughlin. She is scheduled to be executed tonight & will be the 1st openly transgender woman executed by the U.S. https://t.co/qRSN69PFxL

— VictoriaLaw (@LVikkiml) January 3, 2023

The New York Post dropped these  details:

A Missouri inmate was put to death Tuesday for a 2003 killing, in what is believed to be the first execution of a transgender woman in the US.

Amber McLaughlin, 49, was convicted of stalking and killing a former girlfriend, then dumping the body near the Mississippi River in St. Louis. McLaughlin’s fate was sealed earlier Tuesday when Republican Gov. Mike Parson declined a clemency request.

McLaughlin spoke quietly with a spiritual adviser at her side as the fatal dose of pentobarbital was injected. McLaughlin breathed heavily a couple of times, then shut her eyes. She was pronounced dead a few minutes later.

“I am sorry for what I did,” McLaughlin said in a final, written, statement. “I am a loving and caring person.”

🚨Transgender Missouri Inmate Was Put To Death Tuesday In What Is Believed To Be The First Execution Of A Transgender Woman In The UShttps://t.co/cXAErrGRkU

— DK🇺🇸🦅🇺🇸 (@1Nicdar) January 4, 2023

CBS News reported more on the story:

Amber McLaughlin, 49, will become the first openly transgender woman executed in the U.S., Missouri Governor Mike Parson has confirmed. She is scheduled to die by injection Tuesday for killing a former girlfriend in 2003.

Parson announced that the execution would proceed as planned in a statement issued by the governor’s office, which rejected a request to grant clemency that was submitted by McLaughlin’s attorneys last month.

“McLaughlin’s conviction and sentence remains after multiple, thorough examinations of Missouri law. McLaughlin stalked, raped, and murdered Ms. Guenther. McLaughlin is a violent criminal,” Parson said. “Ms. Guenther’s family and loved ones deserve peace. The State of Missouri will carry out McLaughlin’s sentence according to the Court’s order and deliver justice.”

McLaughlin’s attorney, Larry Komp, said there are no court appeals pending. An online petition urging Parson to stop the execution had garnered more than 5,500 of its requested 6,400 signatures as of Tuesday morning.