Connecticut prison officials put serial killer Michael Ross to death on Friday as capital punishment opponents mourned liberal New England's first execution in 45 years. Ross was administered a chemical cocktail at the Osborn Correctional Institution in Somers, Connecticut shortly after 2 am EST (0600 GMT), said state officials. The drugs sedated him, paralysed his muscles, and stopped his heart. Ross, who admitted killing eight women in the 1980s, was pronounced dead at 2:25 am EST (0625 GMT), a senior Connecticut correctional official said.
The 45-year-old Cornell University graduate hastened his own execution last year when he waived his remaining appeals, saying he wanted his death to serve as closure for his victims' families. He made no statement before his death.
Most executions in America take place in southern states like Texas and Florida.
Josh Rubenstein, north-east regional director for Amnesty International USA, said Ross' death was a "sad and unnecessary event," but he did not think it would prompt an increase in executions in the region. Ross was originally set to die in January, but legal appeals had delayed his execution several times. For his last meal, Ross ate the prison's meal of the day, which was turkey a la king with rice, mixed vegetables, white bread, fruit and a beverage.
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