Summary of Offense: Convicted and sentenced to death for the April 1, 1983 murder of Claude Wiley, a 74-year-old black grocery store owner.

Claude Willey was making a delivery to the Foster home at the request of Foster's wife. Foster was waiting with a Louisville Slugger. He accused Wiley of ''trying to mess with my wife'' before repeatedly smashing him with the bat. Investigators found blood on the walls and ceiling and parts of Wiley's teeth throughout the home. Still breathing after the beating, Wiley later was stabbed three times in the chest. His body was discovered several days later in a wooded area about a mile from the Foster home.

The state’s key witness at the trial was Charles Foster’s wife, Eula Mae Foster. She testified that he had killed Wiley at the couple’s home after Wiley had delivered groceries there. For his part, Foster denied knowing anything about the murder, and testified that at the time he had been at Weddles grocery store, where his wife had sent him. He said that he completed his purchases, waited outside the store, and was still there when Eula Mae arrived in Wiley’s truck, which she said she had borrowed in order to visit her mother in Texas.

The couple were subsequently arrested in Texas; both were charged with the murder, but the charges against Eula Mae were reduced. She was sentenced to three concurrent five-year prison terms, and released after nine months.

Victim: Claude Wiley

Manner of execution:
Lethal injection

Time of Death:
12:16 a.m.

Last Meal:
fried catfish with tartar sauce, hushpuppies, coleslaw, a pint of black walnut ice cream and two cans of root beer

Final Statement:
Asked if he had a final statement, Foster said, ''No sir, I don't.'' He mouthed the words as a chaplain began reading Psalm 23. During another scripture that asked, ''Do you believe in God?'' Foster replied, ''Yes.'