An Arkansas death row inmate convicted of raping and killing his 12-year-old niece says he wants to be executed. Karl Roberts initially didn't file an appeal, but changed his mind in 2004.
In Polk County court Wednesday, he told Judge J.W. Looney: "I'm ready to go."
The Southwest Times Record newspaper of Fort Smith reported that Roberts said that while he would like to live, he has to take responsibility for the death of Andria Nichole Brewer, who died in 1999.
Roberts' case was automatically considered by the state Supreme Court, which found that no error occurred at his trial. Justices also said Roberts was competent to waive his appeals.
Just before his scheduled execution in January 2004, Roberts won a stay of execution in federal court.