Oklahoma Halts Execution of Kendrick Simpson Before March 7, 2024

Kendrick Simpson, Oklahoma

Updated: March 4, 2024

Kendrick Simpson was scheduled to be executed at 10 am local time on Thursday, March 7, 2024, inside the execution chamber at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester, Oklahoma.  His execution has been halted. Forty-three-year-old Kendrick is convicted of murdering 20-year-old Glen Palmer and 19-year-old Anthony Jones on January 16, 2006, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. For the last 16 years, Kendrick has been on Oklahoma’s death row.

Kendrick did not have an easy childhood. He was born to a teenage, single mother and his father was not involved in his life. Kendrick dropped out of school in the 8th grade. When he was 16, he was shot five times by his friends for refusing to murder a government witness. After being shot, Kendrick spent two months in the hospital. In the seven months after being shot, Kendrick had 16 surgeries and continued to fear that his friends would find and kill him. He was eventually diagnosed with PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder). Kendrick was also previously convicted and served time for armed robbery.

On January 15, 2006, Kendrick Simpson and his two friends, Jonathan Dalton and Latango Robertson, decided to go out. Before leaving, Simpson put his assault rifle in the vehicle. Then the three men went to a house party where they drank alcohol and consumed marijuana.

Around 1 am on January 16, 2006, Simpson and his two friends arrived at Fritzi’s hip-hop club. After entering, they went to the bar to get a drink. Simpson and Dalton also took a drug, “ecstasy.” Dalton and Robertson went to sit down, while Simpson walked around. Simpson walked past a table with London Johnson, Anthony Jones, and Glen Palmer sitting at it. One of the three commented on the Chicago Cubs baseball cap he was wearing.

Simpson told his friends what happened. He then went back to the other group and threatened to “chop them up.” Shortly after making the threat, Simpson again approached the group, extending his hand and saying “We cool.” Glen punched Simpson, knocking him to the ground. Simpson and his friends then decided to leave the club.

In the parking lot, they encountered some girls and went to a 7-11 with them. While sitting in the parking lot, London, Anthony, and Glen drive into the parking lot. Dalton and Robertson tried to calm Simpson down, however, he wanted to retaliate. When London, Anthony, and Glen left, Simpson told Dalton, who was driving, to follow them. While following the other group, Simpson told Robertson to give him his gun and threatened him if he didn’t do as told. Eventually, Dalton pulled up beside the other vehicle and Simpson pointed his gun out the window and opened fire.

Glen and Anthony were in the front seat, while London was in the back seat. Glen and Anthony both received fatal gunshot wounds and died at the scene. London did not see the shooter, however, he saw the vehicle. He attempted to help his friends after the car crashed into an electric pole and stopped.

Dalton, Robertson, and SImposn were all arrested for the murders. Dalton and Robertson reached a plea deal resulting in 20-year sentences. Simpson was convicted and sentenced to death.

Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond has requested that several of the upcoming scheduled executions in the state be rescheduled to allow more time between them. Oklahoma’s Department of Corrections is currently understaffed and preparing for an execution is time intensive. Drummond’s request was granted by the courts. Several executions have been rescheduled, however many, including Kendrick Simpson’s have not yet received their new execution dates.

Pray for peace and healing for London Johnson. Pray for healing for the families of Anthony Jones and Glen Palmer. Pray for strength for the family of Kendrick Simpson. Pray that if Kendrick is innocent, lacks the competency to be executed, or should not be executed for any other reason, that evidence will be provided before his execution. Pray that Kendrick may come to find peace through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.