Death row inmate Troy Davis executed in the US

Troy Davis, who murdered an off-duty police officer, was executed by lethal injection after a tense four-hour delay at Georgia State Prison earlier this week

Troy Davis, who murdered an off-duty police officer, was executed by lethal injection after a tense four-hour delay at Georgia State Prison earlier this week.

According to the Daily Mail, here is what the reporters witnessed:

Rhonda Cook recalled the two words on Wednesday night that stopped the conversation among reporters instantly.

''Y'all ready?'' a correctional officer asked.

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Troy Davis. Photo/AFPu00a0

"We were moments away from witnessing an execution. Media witnesses are as much a part of the execution process as the officers who escort the inmate to the death chamber or the officers who strap the condemned to a gurney," said Cook.

She described the execution chamber at Georgia State Prison in Jackson as grim.

She said Davis was sedated, strapped to a gurney and given a lethal injection.

"We were there as unbiased witnesses, sitting on the back row," Cook said.

Among those present to witness the execution were the two sons of murdered Savannah police officer Mark Allen MacPhail -- Mark MacPhail Jr., and William MacPhail.

Cook said: "As the officer called our names, we lined up and left the room where we had waited for so long, oblivious to the last-ditch effort to spare Davis and the police presence and protests beyond the prison''s walls."
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Warden Carlu00a0 Humphrey began the process by reading the execution order signed by Chatham County Judge Penny Haas Freesmann.

Then he asked Davis if he had any final words.

Yes, the condemned man said and he raised his head so he could look at Mark MacPhail Jr., who was an infant when his father was murdered, and William MacPhail, the dead officer's brother.

''I'm sorry for your loss,'' Davis said.

Mark MacPhail, who was leaning forward, and his uncle did not move. They stared at the man who killed their loved one.

"I did not personally kill your son, father and brother. I am innocent," said Davis.
He asked his family and friends to continue to search for the truth.

And to the prison officials he said: "May God have mercy on your souls. May God bless your souls."

He then lowered his head. He turned down an offer for a prayer.

Within minutes, Troy Anthony Davis slipped out of consciousness and in 14 minutes he was dead.

"A three-drug cocktail ended his life. First pentobarbital put Davis in a drug-induced coma. The paralytic pancuronium bromide was second. Potassium chloride stopped Davis' heart," said Cook.

"The court ordered execution of Troy Anthony Davis was carried out in accordance with the laws of the state of Georgia," the warden announced.

"Curtains in the death chamber were closed and we were quickly ushered out," Cook said.