Alabama executes Eddie Duval Powell for 1995 rape, murder

(CBS/AP) ATMORE, Ala. - The state of Alabama executed Eddie Duval Powell by lethal injection Thursday for the 1995 rape, robbery and murder of a 70-year-old woman.

Powell, 41, was pronounced dead at 6:30 p.m. at the Holman Prison in Atmore, located about 50 miles northwest of Mobile.

He was sentenced to die for raping, robbing and shooting to death 70-year-old Mattie Wesson at her home in Holt in Tuscaloosa County in the early morning of March 25, 1995.

Corbett says, Powell said in his final statement, "I'd like to say I'm sorry for the pain I have caused everyone who has had to deal with this situation - my family, the victim's family and everyone in this state. I've made peace with myself and God, and hope that everyone can move on from this situation," according to Reuters.

Powell's final appeals were denied this week by the U.S. Supreme Court. He also appealed to the Alabama Supreme Court and the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. One of his appeals claimed he should not be executed because he is mentally challenged, according to the Washington Post.

Prior the execution, Powell did not request a special last meal. Reuters reports he ate sandwiches, soda and corn chips from a vending machine before the injection.