Christopher Vialva
Christopher Vialva, 40, was a Black man whom his attorney, Susan Otto, described as studying a Messianic faith and as feeling overwhelming remorse, and she said that when she met him in 2003 he was still struggling to read. The federal government executed him on September 24, 2020, at the federal prison in Terre Haute, Indiana, and the Vigo County coroner pronounced him dead at 6:46 p.m. Otto said racial stereotypes and the "super predator" narrative shaped his trial about 20 years earlier, and she had asked President Trump for clemency. The fairness of his trial and the reasons for the execution remain disputed by his attorney.
Cause of death, as reported: Executed by the state. His attorney, Susan Otto, said racial stereotypes and the 'super predator' narrative shaped his trial 20 years earlier, and she had asked the president for clemency.
Reported by: Federal Bureau of Prisons (the agency that held him); Vigo County coroner (medical examiner or coroner); his attorney, Susan Otto (family or their lawyers).