‘This has to change’: Kim Kardashian West speaks out after death row inmate she supported is executed
‘This just has to change: our system is so f***** up’
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Kim Kardashian West has described feeling “so messed up” after a death row inmate whose cause she had campaigned for was executed.
The reality star, who is training to be a lawyer, had called on President Donald Trump to grant Brandon Bernard a last-minute reprieve.
Bernard, who was 40-years-old, was sentenced to death after being convicted for his role in a double murder in Texas in 1999.
Despite a high-profile campaign by his supporters, which included Kardashian West, Bernard died by lethal injection at a prison in Indiana on Thursday.
Kardashian West, who said she had spoken to Bernard shortly before he was due to die, said he was remorseful for his crimes.
“I'm so messed up right now,” the mother-of-four tweeted.
“They killed Brandon. He was such a reformed person. So hopeful and positive until the end.
“More importantly he is sorry, so sorry for the hurt and pain he has caused others,” she added.
“As he was in the chair his attorney called me and they just had their last call and said this... Brandon said he loves you and wants to say thank you again. He said he doesn't feel too claustrophobic in the chair.”
Kardashian West said that Bernard had asked her to thank those who had campaigned to try and have his death sentence commuted to life imprisonment.
"His main message that he learned in his life was to not hang out with the wrong crowd,” she said.
“That was so important to him that he shared that with the youth. It got him caught up and he made poor choices.”
She added that the validation the public support gave to his family was “a gift”.
“His family knew him inside and knew he wasn't his mistake he made as a teenager but he was sad his family felt shame,” she said.
Kardashian West said that Bernard was an “amazing person”.
And on the subject of criminal justice reform in the US, she added: “This just has to change: our system is so f***** up.”
Bernard was sentenced to death for his part in the murders of Todd and Stacie Bagley. Some of his accomplices were under 18 and ineligible for the federal death penalty so received jail sentences.
However, another defendant, who was 19 at the time of the crime, was executed in September.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments