The Death of Kendrick Simpson

The scream for blood grew louder as the date approached for one, Kendrick Simpson. An insult to his hat starts the end of his life. The clock ticked down on a man who has had time to sit and think about the figurative sword that has dangled above his head for all these years. Since his convictions in 2007, a murderer has reflected on his actions. A sword that fell in the mid-morning hours of February 12, 2026.

This was the day for Simpson. Death had arrived at his cell and there were no more legal moves to be had. A crowd had gathered to watch him die. Prosecution, and members of the families of his victims came to witness his last words, along with members of his own family. His family watched with broken hearts. While the others watched and waited for justice. Wanted those last words to count for something to them. They wanted true remorse from a man that had shown very little since his incarceration. His words to the board, his confession were that of a man begging for his life, not a man of remorse for what he had done, according to many. Even though his defenders said he took responsibility for the lives he took. This wasn’t enough and wasn’t nearly justice for those whose lives were stolen at the drop of a hat. This sentiment was echoed by the pardons and parole board by their denial for clemency for Simpson.

Simpson’s final words were simply, “I love you,” to his family. There was no other apology, no show or sign he was sorry for the acts he had committed, nor a last prayer to God. This was as simple as it gets for final words, when it comes to kindness and love at the end for one’s own execution. It was the only kindness he was to receive at the end.

This crime was heinous, very much so. Make no mistake, folks, he should never be out of that cell. He hunted down his victims for a slight that came from the mouth of stupid kids. Kids that were just out having a good time and made the mistake of insulting someone. In this case, the wrong someone with drugs in the system, an attitude, and looking for a reason to fight that night. Especially someone carrying a semi-automatic weapon to a club like it’s a ladies clutch purse. However, the death penalty seems very final to me.

How is it rehabilitation to just sit someone in a cell and say, “think about what you did.” What exactly are we doing, a time out? What are we doing to make them a better person, show them a better way? Most of the time, nothing from all the tik toks I have seen from guys that have gotten out. And as for the ones I have corresponded with on the inside, they get bored and write to people because they have nothing to do with their time. Other then think of new crimes, if they have no intention of going straight and narrow paths when they “get out”.

Simpson was left with a sword to fall on his head, no second chance at redemption. His attempts to beg for his life were nothing more than the mosquito buzzing upon deaf ears. Simpson’s actions over the insult of a hat were more than the community wanted to take from someone not from this state back then. And the state would have it's justice for the victims.