James Coddington set to be put to death Thursday

TULSA, Okla. — James Coddington is set to be put to death on Thursday, Aug. 25, after he admitted to beating his friend — 73-year-old Albert Hale — to death back in 1997.

Hale refused to give Coddington $50 for drugs, and Coddington beat his friend and coworker to death with a hammer.

At his clemency hearing, Coddington said, “I can’t apologize enough for what I did.”

“I’ve never forgotten Hale; he was one of my friends, and he tried his best to help me, anytime I need it and for that, he lost his life,” Coddington said.

Earlier this month, the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board voted 3-2 recommending clemency for Coddington, after hearing from him.

Wednesday, Gov. Kevin Stitt denied clemency for Coddington, so he will be executed Thursday.

His lawyer, Emma Rolls, said Coddington came from a difficult upbringing.

She said, “His mom went to prison when he was just six weeks old. His father was a very serious chronic alcoholic who was extraordinary abusive to James.”

Rolls added that Coddington has been extremely remorseful during his 25 years in prison.

But the victim’s son, Mitch Hale, said all of this is not enough to stop an execution.

“I am here to say I forgive James Coddington, but my forgiveness does not release him from the consequences of his actions,” Mitch Hale said.