Ohio executes Brett Hartman, killer convicted of stabbing woman 138 times

(CBS/AP) LUCASVILLE, Ohio - Ohio on Tuesday executed condemned killer Brett Harman, who went to his death still claiming he was innocent of stabbing a woman 138 times, slitting her throat and cutting off her hands.

"I'm good, let's roll," Hartman said, with his last words.

He then smiled in the direction of his sister and repeatedly gave her, a friend and his attorney a "thumbs up" with his left hand. Hartman was given a single dose of pentobarbital and the warden declared his time of death as 10:34 a.m.

Hartman was the 49th inmate put to death since Ohio resumed executions in 1999.

Hartman acknowledged that he had sex with Winda Snipes early on the morning of Sept. 9, 1997 at her Akron apartment. He also says he went back to Snipes' apartment later that day, found her mutilated body and panicked, trying to clean up the mess before calling 911.

But Hartman said he didn't kill her, a claim rejected by numerous courts over the years.

Hartman's attorneys long said that crucial evidence from the crime scene and Snipes' body had never been tested, raising questions about Hartman's innocence. The evidence included fingerprints allegedly found on a clock and a mop handle. Hartman also argued the evidence could implicate an alternate suspect.

The state opposed those arguments, citing the strength of the evidence and the fact that courts have repeatedly upheld Hartman's conviction and death sentence. The state also said Hartman refused to take responsibility and show remorse.

More on CrimesiderNovember 13, 2012 - Brett Hartman: Ohio prepares to execute killer who stabbed woman