Death Row Payback: Oklahoma Executes 1996 Killer
Anthony Sanchez, 44, was put to death by lethal injection in Oklahoma on Thursday for the brutal rape and murder of dance student Juli Busken back in 1996. He’d been locked away on death row since 2006 after DNA evidence nailed him.
Justice for Juli Busken
Juli was just 21 and studying at the University of Oklahoma when she was viciously killed. The case sat cold for years until modern DNA testing finally cracked it wide open, pointing directly to Sanchez.
Sanchez’s Last Stand: Innocent or Guilty?
Throughout, Sanchez claimed he was innocent, shifting blame to his late father – who tragically died by suicide last year. But courts dismissed his pleas for a new hearing. Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond slammed Sanchez’s finger-pointing as “desperate and cowardly,” confirming DNA proved his guilt beyond doubt.
“Justice was served today for Juli Busken nearly 27 years after her life was tragically taken,” said Drummond. “My hope is that today brings some peace to her family and friends.”
Oklahoma Steps Up Death Penalty Action
Sanchez’s execution marked Oklahoma’s third so far this year, adding to the 18 total executions across the US in 2023. The state is showing no signs of slowing its ramped-up capital punishment efforts.
