Racist White Supremacist Killer Executed In Missouri

BONNE TERRE (Missouri) -Joseph Paul Franklin, a whitesupremacist who targetedblacks and Jews in a crosscountrykilling spree from 1977to 1980, was put to death onWednesday in Missouri.Franklin, 63, was executed at astate prison for killing GeraldGordon in a sniper shooting ata suburban St. Louis synagoguein 1977. Franklin wasconvicted of seven other murdersacross the country andclaimed responsibility for up to20 overall, but the Missouricase was the only one thatbrought a death sentence.Franklin also admitted toshooting and wounding civilrights leader Vernon Jordanand Hustler magazine publisherLarry Flynt, who has beenparalyzed from the waist downsince the attack in 1978. Flynthad sued to stop Franklin’sexecution because he doesn’tbelieve the death penalty is adeterrent.