Death row inmate who believes he’s ‘immortal’ avoids execution

A death row inmate who believes he has already died three times and been resurrected has been deemed too mentally ill to face execution.

John Richard Wood, 56, has been in prison for more than 25 years after killing a state trooper in South Carolina, US.

In December 2000, Wood shot and killed Eric Nicholson during a traffic stop.

After fleeing, he shot at police and hit another officer with a bullet fragment before being arrested.

Now, three mental health experts have agreed that he isn’t competent enough to be executed, having not understood why he is being punished.

Wood, who has schizophrenia, believes he is immortal – and thinks he has already been executed three times.

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The judge in his case said Wood believes he will be resurrected if the state puts him to death.

He also erroneously believes he has already received a pardon from the governor.

During his 2002 trial, Wood thought the courtroom was working as an agent of ‘Beloved Kevin Rudolph’, a deity who he thinks is part of a war to win over control of the planet.

The court also heard that Wood thinks he has ‘wings’ and was gifted immortality to win his ‘fight’ against the justice system.

The judge, with the help of two psychiatrists and a psychologist, has agreed that Wood can’t be executed because of his debilitating mental illness.

They found that Wood understands why he initially received the death sentence – but still thinks police were ‘framing him for brutal rape’.

The judge’s ruling will go to the South Carolina Supreme Court, which could either uphold or overturn the decision.

Earlier today, another man was sentenced to death after kidnapping and killing seven-year-old Athena Strand in Texas.

Tanner Horner, 34, told detectives after his arrest that he bundled the young girl into his van after accidentally hitting her with it and then strangled her to stop her from telling anyone.

Wise County District Attorney James Stainton showed the court video of little Athena alive and well in the FedEx truck after her abduction .

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The court heard that during the terrifying ordeal, Horner told Athena: ‘Don’t scream, or I’ll hurt you.’
After a two-week hearing, a jury chose to execute Horner by lethal injection.

In a statement following Horner’s initial indictment, Athena’s mum, Maitlyn Gandy, said she supported the decision.

She added: ‘Every breath he takes is one my daughter doesn’t.’
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk .

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