John Noland was executed by the State of North Carolina for a double murder
According to court documents John Noland following a separation from his wife would head to the home of her sister Cindy Milton, and shot her to death Feb. 21, 1982. He then crossed the street and killed her father, Troy Milton. Noland would also shoot his mother in law who would survive her injuries
John Noland would be arrested, convicted and sentenced to death
John Noland would be executed by lethal injection on November 20 1998
John Noland Photos
John Noland Case
John Noland smiled, laughed and talked with those who had come to watch him die.
His wide eyes scanned the witness room until they locked onto his two sisters.“I love you,’ he said, over and over again.
Johnette Tessenar and Nancy Wood, watching their brother on the other side of the glass in the execution chamber, raised their hands and flashed thumbs-up signals.
Ten minutes later, Noland’s eyes closed for the last time. Then, he drew his last breath.
At 2:15 a.m. Friday, the 50-year-old Charlotte killer was executed by injection for the 1982 murders of his father-in-law and sister-in-law.
He became the third killer put to death this year at Central Prison in Raleigh and the 11th in North Carolina in the past two decades.
His killings of Troy Milton and Cindy Milton had shattered the lives of two families. But for brief moments Friday, Noland’s execution brought them together again
Noland turned and looked into the eyes of Ann Rhyne, who had waited 16 years to watch the execution of the man who had killed her father and sister. I'm sorry,' he told her.I love you.’
Rhyne nodded. At one point, she told Noland, “I love you.’
As they watched and waited for the execution to begin, Tessenar and Rhyne, seated in different rows, reached out and held hands.
After 16 years on death row, Noland was ready to die.
On Thursday, Noland spent 10 hours with his three sisters and other family members. He ordered a final meal: a large pepperoni pizza, a large burrito and six Diet Cokes.
As the execution neared, about 70 death-penalty opponents stood outside Central Prison, holding candles and posters. Across the street, a lone protester stood, holding a sign, “Dean Smith Loves Killers.’ It was a reference to the legendary coach, who earlier this month urged Gov. Jim Hunt to commute Noland’s death sentence.
Noland, meanwhile, sat in a cell near the death chamber and wrote a final statement
I'm 2 hours away from execution and I feel like the luckiest man alive, excuse the pun,' he wrote.It’s the love. Love surrounds me, comforts me, makes me very happy in my last hours.
“To die knowing my two wonderful daughters love and forgive me makes my heart soar during a time when I should be full of fear, maximum fear.
“To the victims’ family, I love all of you and wish you peace and love, hope to see you in heaven.’
At about 1:40 a.m. Friday, 14 witnesses were escorted into the witness room next to the execution chamber. No one spoke. They stared through the glass window into the death chamber and the high-back hickory chair, with its leather straps, used in years past for executions by gas.
Johnette Tessenar put her arm around her sister. Charlotte lawyer Jim Cooney, who fought for 12 years to save Noland’s life, held a rosary.
At 1:50, the chamber’s steel door opened, and Noland, strapped to a gurney with intravenous lines running into both arms, was wheeled into the execution chamber
A plastic beige curtain was pulled behind Noland where his three executioners would work, unseen by Noland and the witnesses.
Noland, covered in a blue sheet from his toes to his shoulders, strained his neck as his eyes searched the witness room.
He talked. He smiled. Even laughed. “I love you,’ he said repeatedly, as his eyes darted from his sisters to Ann Rhyne.
He appeared to say something funny to his executioners. Seconds later, he laughed.
Tessenar and Wood caught their brother’s eyes and pointed upward. Noland, understanding the gestures, nodded.
At 1:55, Noland was counting the witnesses. There was laughter in the witness room when everyone realized what he was doing.
Two minutes later, Noland spotted his lawyer in the second row. “Thank you, Jim,’ he said.
Then, Noland looked toward the ceiling. He appeared in deep thought. And at peace.
At 1:59, Central Prison Warden James French entered the witness room and announced that the execution was about to begin.
“OK, we’re ready,’ Tessenar said.
At 2 a.m., Noland turned to his sisters and said: “I’m leaving. Goodbye, my sisters. I love you.’
They would be his last words to his sisters.
Noland appeared to be counting backward from 100 when at 2:01, he stiffened. About 10 seconds later, Noland’s eyelids slowly shut as the drugs put him into a deep sleep.
Wood began sobbing. It's OK,' Tessenar told her sister.They’re taking him home. He’s free. He’s now free.’
Oh, God,' Wood cried.He’s gone. He’s gone. It’s over.’
“Yes, it is,’ Tessenar said.
Ann Rhyne put her hand to her mouth and breathed deeply.
Moments later, the warden entered the witness room and announced that Noland was dead