Chelbi Sharon, 7, and Cody Sharon, 6
Facts of the Crime: Convicted and sentenced to death in the August 23, 2002 murders of seven-year-old Chelbi Sharon and six-year-old Cody Sharon.
Carolyn Marksberry had counseled a neighbor to get out of an abusive relationship with Chapman. In response, Chapman broke into her home, bound her with duct tape to her bed frame, raped her, and stabbed her with a knife that broke off in her chest. She survived the attack. The children awoke to screams and ran to investigate. Chapman then turned the knife on them. seven-year-old Chelbi and six-year-old Cody Marksberry were stabbed and slashed several times and had their throats cut. They died almost immediately. Their ten-year-old sister Courtney played dead after being stabbed several times. She fled out the back door and raced through the dark to the house of a neighbor -- who called 911. Chapman heard the door slam, and fled the scene. Chapman pled guilty to the crimes and waived all appeals.
Victims: Chelbi Sharon and Cody Sharon
Time of Death: 7:34 pm
Manner of Execution: Lethal Injection
Last Meal: a medium-rare 32-ounce steak, shrimp, salad and banana cream pie
Final Words: "I don't know why I did the thing that I did, and I know the hate of me over that night must be overwhelming, but Carolyn and Courtney you have to know that wasn't who I was or am," Chapman wrote in a statement he gave to Warden Tom Simpson to read. "I am not a monster even though I did a monstrously evil thing. That is why I give my life willing as well as quickly in hopes that you know how truly sorry I am. I hurt and ache daily for the loss I've created in the Marksberrys' family, but I hurt as well. I don't know if I deserve heaven after what I did, but I pray with all my heart that I find some sort of peace and happiness after my last breath." After Simpson read the statement, Chapman looked toward the room where Marksberry family members were scheduled to view the execution, and apologized again. His voice shook, and he had tears in his eyes.
Bookmarks