Florida killer Dennis Sochor refused to eat final meal and delivered final message to Patty Gifford’s family before execution
More than four decades after 18-year-old Patricia “Patty” Gifford was raped and murdered, her killer took her last breath without revealing where he hid her body.
Dennis Sokol’s last meal before refusing lethal injection
Dennis SocholThe 74-year-old was executed by lethal injection at 6:16 p.m. Florida state prison in Raeford, according to the Florida Department of Corrections.
Thorhol declined a final meal and met with a spiritual advisor and a visitor in his presence. implementthe report said.
As the curtain rose in the death chamber at 6 p.m. local time, Soholl was strapped to a gurney with an IV in his arm. The drugs began flowing at 6:03 p.m. He experienced heavy breathing for about a minute, followed by several seconds of panting. After about two minutes, he appeared motionless and the warden looked him in the eyes, shook his shoulders, and called his name, but received no response.
According to reports, a doctor was called at 6:14 pm local time and Sohol was pronounced dead shortly after. independent.
Soholl was one of the oldest death row inmates executed in Florida’s recent history.
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Soho’s final apology
In his last words, Southall expressed “deep regret” to Gifford’s family and turned his spirit to Jesus Christ, the Associated Press reported.
He also thanked his relatives for their support over the years, The Independent reported.
“This day does not bring Patty back, nor does it erase the 44 years our family has lived without her,” Gifford’s family said in a statement. “Patti was 18 years old, full of life and loved by her family and friends.”
Patricia’s sister, Marilyn Gifford, said after witnessing the execution that Soholl’s death brought some closure to the family, although it was still bittersweet as her sister’s body was never found. “He had 45 years to return Patty’s remains to us, but he cruelly chose not to,” she said, reading a statement.
“We never had the chance to let her rest in God’s arms. Without closure, every happy memory of Patty would have been instantly shattered by the tragedy of her murder.”
She also noted that Soholl spent more than twice as long on death row as her sister did in her lifetime. “Tonight’s execution is appropriate because Denis Sojo was a lifelong cruel and sadistic man,” she said.
The 1982 murder of Patty Gifford
More than four decades after 18-year-old Patricia “Patty” Gifford was reportedly raped and murdered, her killer died without revealing where he hid her body. miami herald.
In 1987, a jury convicted Dennis Sochor of kidnapping, raping and murdering Gifford, who had moved from Massachusetts to Fort Lauderdale just months before his death.
On New Year’s Day 1982, Sochor, a pool cleaner, met Gifford at a nearby lounge. HollywoodFlorida. She eventually got into his car with her brother, and the group chatted for hours. When one of Gifford’s friends fell ill and slept in his car, Gifford left with the Sohol brothers, reportedly to get breakfast. The Independent reported that Soholl parked the truck in a secluded area and attacked her.
Gifford’s family said she was unwilling to leave with the two men that night, adding that Sohool had made unwanted advances toward her and her friends earlier in the night. “Paddy was loyal, protective and responsible,” the family said. “It is unthinkable to us that she would have casually left her unconscious friend alone in the car with the man who harassed them that night.”
In a taped confession played to the jury, Soholl admitted luring Gifford into his truck, taking her to a remote construction site, sexually assaulting her, beating her and strangling her, the Miami Herald reported. His brother, Gary Sochor, testified that he was present but said he did not intervene because he was drunk and scared. He was never charged.
