Richard Albert Leavitt was executed shortly after 10 am, MDT, on June 12, 2012, at the Idaho Maximum Security Institution in Kuna, Idaho. Richard was 53 years old.

Leavitt was convicted of brutally murdering 31-year-old Danette Elg in her Blackfoot, Idaho apartment on July 18, 1984. Danette was stabbed repeatedly with exceptional force and had her sexual organs cut out. The case around Leavitt was built on circumstantial evidence. Leavitt was caught in several lies at his trial and was caught writing instructions to his wife on what to say when she testified. When DNA analysis was offered, Leavitt refused to provide a sample for testing.

Richard chose not to meet with a spiritual advisor prior to his execution. He met with friends and family throughout Monday and spent his final hours meeting with his attorney.

Please pray for peace for the family of Danette. Please pray for strength and healing for the family of Richard.