'I hate you': Defiant death row inmate gives middle finger as he's executed

A US death row inmate has told authorities “I hate you” and gave the middle finger the the gallery as he was executed.

Torrey McNabb, 40, was executed by lethal injection in Alabama almost exactly 20 years after he shot and killed police officer Anderson Gordon.

Shortly before he was put to death, McNabb reportedly spoke to his family through a glass window, saying: “Mom, sis, look at my eyes,” he said.

“I’ve got no tears in my eyes. I’m unafraid... to the state of Alabama, I hate you m***f***s. I hate you.”

He then is said to have raised both middle fingers toward witnesses galleries as the execution started at the Hollman Correctional Facility in Atmore.

McNabb, who was convicted after a five-day trial, was fleeing a bail bondsman in September 1997 when he opened fire on Anderson Gordon who was inside his police patrol car.

Then 20 years old, he fired at least four times, killing the police officer. At this trial in January 1999 he told the court he had taken a large amount of cocaine that day and ‘panicked’ when he saw Mr Gordon, apologising to the officer’s family.

But despite appeals by his legal team McNabb’s conviction was upheld.

The case also became part of a wider argument over the way lethal injection is carried out in Alabama, with lawyers arguing McNabb’s execution should be stayed. The application was upheld in one court but reversed by the US Supreme Court.

A statement from Mr Gordon’s family said: “Over 20 years ago, we lost a companion, a father, a brother, and a friend who only wanted to make a difference in his community.”

They said while it had been a difficult day for their family, they were also praying for the family of Torrey McNabb.