Press Release for the Scheduled Execution of Gilbert Postelle

Tuesday of the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Press Release

On Thursday, February 17, Gilbert Postelle, age 35, is to be executed for a quadruple shooting in Oklahoma County that took place in 2005. He was sentenced to death for the murders of James “Donnie” Swindle, Jr., age 49, and Amy Wright, age 26. For the murders of Terry Smith, age 56, and James Alderson, age 57, he was sentenced to life in prison without parole.

The execution will take place at 10:00am at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester. Postelle will be the fourth state death row inmate put to death since the practice was resumed in October 2021. His will be the 116th execution in Oklahoma since 1990.

At the urging for their father, Earl Postelle, Gilbert, then age 19, and his brother David, age 21, went to Swindle’s trailer home, shooting him, Wright, Smith and Alderson. The Postelles blamed Swindle for a motorcycle injury that left their father physically and mentally disabled.

Gilbert and David Postelle were convicted in 2008 on four counts of first-degree murder. Gilbert was sentenced to two death sentences and two sentences of life without parole. David received the sentence of life in prison. Earl Postelle was declared incompetent to stand trial due to a brain injury.

During his appeal process, Gilbert Postelle’s attorneys have argued that he has an IQ in the low 70s, and became addicted to methamphetamines at age 11. Dropping out of school at the age of 12, he suffered from severe neglect from his parents, both of whom were mentally ill.

On December 1, 2021, the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board voted 4-1 against recommending clemency for Postelle. Multiple state and federal courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court, have denied halting the execution.

Barring a stay of execution, there will be a peaceful prayer vigil near the front gate of the penitentiary in opposition to capital punishment. It will begin at 9:00am and conclude when news is received that the execution has been carried out. Prayers will be offered for Swindle, Wright, Smith, Alderson and their families, for Postelle and his family, as well as for the corrections officers taking part in the execution. People of all faiths are welcome to participate in the vigil.

Other locations for prayer that day include:

• -  St. Scholastica Chapel at the Church of Saint Benedict, 2200 West Ithica, in Broken Arrow. The chapel will open the entire day for prayer.

• -  Holy Innocents Chapel, 6114 NW 63rd Street in Oklahoma City. A vigil will begin at 9:00am.
   

  All are welcome to these locations as well.