MCALESTER, Okla. (KFOR) - The state of Oklahoma executed Emmanuel Littlejohn at 10:17 a.m. on Thursday, September 26, 2024. Littlejohn spent 30 years on death row for the shooting death of convenience store manager, Kenny Meers, who was working at the Root-N-Scoot convenience store when he was shot and killed during a robbery in 1992. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Death Row inmate Emmanuel Littlejohn fights for life in final appeal Despite being convicted of first-degree murder, and owning up to his role in the robbery, for three decades Littlejohn claimed he was not responsible for Meers’ death.  “I committed a robbery that had devastating consequences,” said Littlejohn. “But I’ll repeat, I did not kill Mr. Meers.”  He said his accomplice, Glenn Bethany, pulled the trigger.  On Wednesday, August 7, 2024, Littlejohn pleaded his case to the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board during his clemency hearing. The Meers family and the state urged the board to deny clemency, arguing Littlejohn has shown a lack of remorse and has a violent history.  PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Clemency recommended for death row inmate Emmanuel Littlejohn; decision now in governor’s hands “I believe my mom died of a broken heart,” said Bill Meers, Kenny’s brother. “I cannot and will not forgive this man for carelessly deciding Kenny’s life meant nothing.” Joshua Fanelli with the Attorney General’s Office added, “Littlejohn’s selfish and manipulative behavior has made him a menace to society for years and it’s time for him to pay the price.”  The Pardon and Parole Board voted 3-2, recommending clemency for Littlejohn. “I am praying that Gov. Stitt find mercy and forgiveness in his heart. Emmanuel Littlejohn is a changed man. He acknowledges his guilt for participation in the robbery. He regrets the trauma that he has caused the family of Kenneth Meers.” said Rev. Don Heath, Chair of the Oklahoma Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty. Clemency was not granted and Littlejohn was executed Thursday morning. Gov. Stitt responded after the execution on Thursday. "These decisions are very difficult and I do not make them lightly. Mr. Littlejohn murdered an innocent man 32 years ago while robbing a convenience store. A jury found him guilty and sentenced him to death. The decision was upheld by multiple judges. As a law and order governor, I have a hard time unilaterally overturning that decision. Today, justice for this life lost was carried out. I hope this brings closure to the families impacted by this murder." Stitt said. Attorney General Gentner Drummond commented on the execution saying, “Justice has been served for the murder of Kenny Meers. I pray that today brings some measure of peace to the Meers family who has waited 32 long years for justice to be served.” Rev. Heath also responded following the execution. "Emmanuel Littlejohn is dead because Gov. Stitt could not see the humanity in him.  He didn’t even show Mr. Littlejohn enough respect to make a formal statement to deny clemency. This is now the third time that Gov. Stitt has rejected a clemency recommendation from the Pardon and Parole Board and he didn’t bother to let the condemned man know that he was denying clemency until the last minute.  This is the needless infliction of emotional distress to those being executed in their last moments and it has to stop. " said Rev. Heath.