ELIJAH PAGE | South Dakota carries out first execution in 60 years against man who tortured friend to death | Page was executed by lethal injection at SD State Penitentiary in Sioux Falls on July 11, 2007 | ALS | SEALED

Elijah Page. ALS. pmk: 11 AUG 2006. SEALED. Content unknown. Pristine.

Elijah Page, a convicted killer on Death Row at the South Dakota State Prison, was executed by lethal injection at the age of 25. It was South Dakota's first execution in 60 years. He was only one of three inmates on Death Row in South Dakota. Elijah Page was involved in the brutal murder of teenager Chester Allen Poage with two other men, one was sentenced to Life in Prison, the other suspect was sentenced to death. Chester Poage, the victim, was a casual friend of Murderer Elijah Page, Chester was 19, strong and healthy. He was kidnapped, robbed, beat, and tortured for 2–3 hours in 2000, seven years earlier. He underwent tremendous suffering. He was kicked in the head so many times and stomped on, both ears was ripped from his head. He was forced to drink acid. He died a long, lingering, painful death.

Page pleaded guilty to Chester Poage's death, and waived his right to have a jury determine his sentence. On February 16, 2001, he was sentenced to death by judge Warren Johnson.

By August 2006, Page ordered his attorney to stop all appeals, and just allow his execution to proceed. He reportedly said that he was tired of living the life of a condemned man. Page waived his appeals and sped up his execution. He was initially scheduled to be executed on August 29, 2006, but the execution was delayed by Governor Mike Rounds until at least July 1, 2007, over a technicality involving the execution drugs.

Page was executed by lethal injection at South Dakota State Penitentiary in Sioux Falls on July 11, 2007. He was the first person executed in South Dakota in over sixty years, and the first person executed in South Dakota since the state reinstated capital punishment in 1979. At the age of 25, Page is also the youngest person executed in South Dakota in the modern era, and no one younger than him has been executed in the United States since his execution. His last meal was steak, jalapeño peppers, onion rings, a salad, and ice cream. He had no final statement.ⁱ

Page spent his last hours in a holding cell near the execution chamber, visiting with a few family members and friends. At 6:00 pm he had his last meal. He requested: Steak, Jalapeno Peppers, Onion Rings, a salad, and ice cream. At 9:40 pm the guards removed Page from his holding cell. At 10:00 pm about 70 anti-death penalty protesters gathered outside of the Prison, singing “Amazing Grace”. A handful of death supporters showed up, showing support for victims rights, a lot of shouting and debating went on, outside the prison walls. Elijah Page wore his prison issue orange jumpsuit and white socks into the Death Chamber. Elijah was laid out on the gurney as he was restrained with leather straps, across the chest, and around each arm and leg. An IV. was inserted into each arm. Warden Doug Weber asked Elijah Page if he had any last words. He said, “No.” Warden Weber asked again, “Do I understand you to say you have no last words?” Inmate Page said, “Yes, no last words.”

The injections started at 10:02 pm and ended at 10:04 pm. An EMT pronounced him dead at 10:11 pm. A witness to the execution said, “It seemed to have taken seconds, we didn't hear anything or see anything. The Warden stood there and really showed no emotion. The next thing we heard was several gasps, almost like snoring, and his chest heaved a couple of times.”ⁱⁱ

• VIDEO: Dottie Poage | https://youtu.be/CYI9JNm8Oks

• VIDEO: The Torture & Murder of Chester Poage - MURDER IN AMERICA - EP 04 - SOUTH DAKOTA | https://youtu.be/sKnnMrbYyeY

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