OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma — Richard Norman Rojem Jr., a convict in a decades-old murder case, was executed Thursday morning for the 1984 abduction, sexual assault, and murder of his 7-year-old former stepdaughter, Layla Cummings. Rojem was declared deceased at 10:16 a.m. following a lethal injection at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester.
In July 1984, Layla Cummings was forcibly taken from her residence in Elk City. Her lifeless body was later discovered in a nearby field approximately 20 miles from her home, near Burns Flat, dressed in her mother’s nightgown and positioned face-down. An autopsy reported that she suffered three stab wounds.
The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board declined to recommend clemency for Rojem earlier this month, siding unanimously against a reprieve, which sealed his fate despite last-minute appeals from his defense. Rojem’s lawyers had contested the sufficiency and reliability of the evidence and maintained his innocence in the severe charges against him.
During the parole hearing, Rojem addressed the board, insisting on his innocence by denying any involvement in the kidnapping, rape, or killing of Cummings. Nonetheless, his appeals were not sufficient to sway the board or halt the judicial process leading up to his execution.
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond remarked on the execution, stating, “Justice for Layla Cummings was finally served this morning with the execution of the monster responsible for her rape and murder.” He added, “Layla’s family has endured unimaginable suffering for almost 40 years. My prayer is that today’s action brings a sense of comfort to those who loved her.”
The emotional toll on Cummings’ family was highlighted by a poignant letter from her mother, Mindy Cummings, to the board, expressing the enduring grief and the permanent void left by Layla’s untimely death. “For me, it is meaningless. Everything she might have been was stolen from her, one horrific night. She never got to be more than the precious 7-year-old that she was. And so she remains in our hearts – forever 7,” Mindy wrote.
Rojem’s execution is the second in Oklahoma this year, indicating the state’s continued use of the death penalty as a legal punishment. The debate over the death penalty remains a divisive issue, with proponents arguing it serves as a deterrent to heinous crimes and provides closure to victims’ families, while opponents cite moral, ethical, and procedural concerns, including the potential for wrongful convictions.
As the state moves forward with its capital punishment schedule, officials and the public alike reflect on the complex balance between seeking justice for victims and ensuring the rights and innocence of the accused are comprehensively safeguarded. The case reopens discussion on the effectiveness and morality of capital punishment, a topic that continues to evoke strong emotions and diverse opinions across the nation.