Southaven murderer Brawner executed

Man killed daughter, ex-wife, in-laws

PARCHMAN, Miss. — Mississippi executed a Southaven man Tuesday for fatally shooting his 3-yearold daughter, his ex-wife and her parents in a crime in which authorities say he also stole his slain mother-inlaw’s wedding ring and used it to propose marriage to his girlfriend.

Jan Michael Brawner, 34, died at 6:18 p.m. after receiving a chemical injection at the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman, authorities said.

Brawner had admitted to the killings during his trial and said he didn’t deserve to live after shooting his daughter, Paige; his ex-wife, Barbara Craft; and her parents, Carl and Jane Craft, at their Tate County house on April 25, 2001.

In his final statement, Brawner said he wished to apologize to the victims’ family, but could not change what he had done. “Maybe this will bring you a little peace. Thank you,” he said as he lay strapped to a gurney.

When the drugs were administered, he appeared to take a deep breath. His mouth opened wide for a moment and then his head tilted to the side.

A brother of Brawner’s exwife witnessed the execu- tion. None of Brawner’s relatives were present.

Hours before the execution, Brawner appeared talkative and apologetic as he admitted to the killings, Corrections Commissioner Chris Epps said.

Brawner also said he wasn’t on drugs or alcohol when he killed the four people but snapped under the stress of a divorce and restraining order, according to Epps.

Epps said Brawner ate most of his last meal of pizza, salad, sweet tea and ice cream. He requested a sedative before the execution.

Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant and the U.S. Supreme Court both declined to stop Tuesday’s execution.