Alabama man executed in 1988 contract killing

ATMORE, Ala. (AP) - Alabama corrections authorities say they executed a man convicted in the contract killing of a preacher's wife at 6:41 p.m. CST Thursday.

John Forrest Parker, executed for the 1988 murder of Elizabeth Dorlene Sennett, told the woman's family, "I'm sorry, I don't ever expect you to forgive me. I really am sorry" moments before he died by lethal injection at Holman Prison in Atmore.

The Supreme Court declined to halt the execution. The victim's death was part of a scheme allegedly arranged by her husband, a debt-ridden preacher.

The 42-year-old was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to die for the killing of Sennett. The 45-year-old grandmother who was stabbed and beaten at her Colbert County home.