Murderer Who Tried for 2 Years to End Appeals Is Finally Executed

By Linda Orlando

In 1986, David Dawson held David and Monica Rodstein and their two children captive for days in a motel room in Billings, Montana. David and Monica and their 11-year old son Andrew were methodically murdered, one by one. Their daughter, Amy, was rescued by police who had launched a search for the missing family. The following year, David Dawson was convicted of the murders and sentenced to die.

Dawson had been trying for two years to fire his attorneys and end the appeals process so that his execution could take place. Earlier this summer judges in both state and federal courts had supported his efforts by agreeing that he was mentally fit to make the decision to fire his lawyers. Despite Dawson’s wishes and the courts agreeing with him, there was a last-minute push by civil liberties groups filing motions to halt the execution, with one court filing being made just eight hours before the scheduled execution. All requests were turned down and the execution took place as scheduled.

The Rodstein’s daughter Amy, the only person in her family to survive Dawson’s slaughter in that motel room in 1986, had testified in the trial where he was convicted and sentenced to die. Yellowstone County Attorney Dennis Paxinos, who prosecuted Dawson, attended Friday’s execution and read a statement from Amy. "Despite my family and I being victimized 20 years ago, I have chosen not to live my life as a victim," the statement read. "Instead of dwelling on the horrible events that transpired, I concentrate on moving forward, keeping the living qualities of my family as an inspiration; my father's sense of humor, smile and work ethic; my mother's dedication to family, kindness and faith; and my brother's mischievousness, zest for life, and enthusiasm."

Warden Mike Mahoney said that Dawson had been quiet and "reflective" during his last few hours. "He seemed to be very much at peace with himself, from what I observed," Mahoney said, although he added that Dawson was frustrated when he heard that civil liberties groups were trying to stop his execution. "He finally was showing signs that it was wearing thin on him," Mahoney said.

The civil rights groups objecting to Dawson’s execution had contended that lethal injection is cruel and unusual punishment, and they wanted a judge to hear their arguments against executing Dawson. They said recent evidence widely reported in the media suggests that people executed by lethal injection may suffer when the poisonous concoction of medications is administered. Thankfully, no judges agreed to listen to them, and Dawson’s sentence was finally carried out. He was pronounced dead less than six minutes after the process began, and he showed no visible signs of discomfort.

A convicted murderer who caused immeasurable pain and misery to a family who didn’t deserve it has finally gotten the punishment he deserved, despite civil liberties fanatics trying to interfere. They should be relieved, though—at least he died comfortably.