Prosecutor Reacts To Moeller's Execution

The man who prosecuted Donald Moeller the second time is surprised by Wednesday's news.

Former Lincoln County State's Attorney Scott Abdallah, who is on the road and talked with us by phone, says while it's been a long time coming and he hopes the family can finally get some closure.

Becky O'Connell would have been 31-years-old and even though her life was taken at such a young age, people still remember the little girl who was brutally murdered at the hands of a cold blooded killer.

Abdallah reacted this way to the news.

"I'm pleased to see he finally accepted responsibility for his actions," Abdallah said. "I think that will mean a lot to the family, obviously they suffered a tremendous loss and nothing is ever going to bring their child back."

Abdallah isn't celebrating, but even he wasn't expecting Moeller to own up to the killing.

"I was very surprised; obviously he had denied his involvement in this crime for 20 plus years. He was adamant at trial he had no part in this crime," Abdallah said.

Abdallah says prosecuting a death penalty case is no easy task, especially this one.

"The evidence in this case was largely circumstantial evidence, there were no eyewitnesses to the crime, so he maintained his innocence up until today," Abdallah said.

Now that Moeller has accepted responsibility 22 years later, Abdallah says people should know that the justice system works, no matter how long it takes.

State law sets forth who will be a witness to Moeller's execution. At this time, Abdallah says he has no plans on attending.