Amber McLaughlin

Amber McLaughlin
Born
Scott A. McLaughlin

(1973-01-13)January 13, 1973
Missouri, U.S.
DiedJanuary 3, 2023(2023-01-03) (aged 49)
Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center, Bonne Terre, Missouri, U.S.
Cause of death
Execution by lethal injection
ConvictionsFirst degree murder
Forcible rape
Sexual assault
Armed criminal action
Criminal penalty
Death (2006)
Details
VictimsBeverly Guenther, 45
DateNovember 20, 2003

Amber McLaughlin (January 13, 1973 – January 3, 2023) was an American murderer executed in Missouri for the 2003 rape and murder of her ex-girlfriend, Beverly Guenther. At the time of the crime, McLaughlin was living as male; she transitioned from male to female while incarcerated.[1] McLaughlin became the first openly transgender person to be executed in the United States.[2][3] Her legal name remained her birth name, Scott A. McLaughlin, and she was identified as such in her death warrant and in prison records.[4]

McLaughlin was a registered sex offender because of a 1992 conviction for sexual assault against a 14-year-old girl.[2]

The Murder of Beverly Guenther

According to a neighbor, Beverly had been in fear of McLaughlin for months.[5] Beverly had been stalked for months by McLaughlin prior to the murder. She had ordered an order of protection against McLaughlin before she was abducted. She had a police officer escort her to her car for about a week. The day Guenther stopped having an officer escort her, the murder happened.[6][7] McLaughlin raped Guenther then stabbed her to death and dumped her body in the Mississippi River near St. Louis.[8] Her neighbors called police when she failed to return home. Police went to her car and discovered a broken knife handle and a trail of blood.[9]

At McLaughlin's 2006 trial, the jury was deadlocked on the issue of the death penalty.[10] In most U.S. states, this would result in a sentence of life imprisonment. However, Missouri is one of only two states (the other being Indiana) in which a judge has the discretion to sentence a defendant to death if the jury is deadlocked on the issue of capital punishment.[11]

In August 2021, McLaughlin's sentence was reinstated by the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.[12][13] On January 3, 2023, McLaughlin was executed by the state.[14] McLaughlin submitted a final statement that read:

“I am sorry for what I did. I am a loving and caring person.” - Scott McLaughlin.[15][16]

See also

References

  1. ↑
    • Riess, Rebekah; Tucker, Emma (December 16, 2022). "Transgender death row inmate set to be executed in January files clemency application with Missouri governor". CNN. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
    • "Transgender woman on Missouri's death row asks governor for mercy with execution just days away". CBS News. December 15, 2022. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
    • "Missouri Set to Execute Amber McLaughlin on January 3 in First U.S. Execution of a Transgender Person". Death Penalty Information Center. December 27, 2022. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
    • Flores, Adolfo (January 3, 2023). "Missouri Executes Transgender Inmate, a First in the U.S." The Wall Street Journal. Ms. McLaughlin transitioned while on death row.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  2. 1 2 Padgett, Donald (December 15, 2022). "First U.S. Execution of a Transgender Set in Missouri". The Advocate. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
  3. ↑ Madani, Doha (January 3, 2023). "Amber McLaughlin, the first openly transgender person to be executed in the U.S., dies by lethal injection". NBC News. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  4. ↑ Andone, Dakin; Vera, Amir (January 3, 2023). "Missouri carries out first known execution of an openly transgender person for 2003 murder". CNN. Retrieved September 17, 2023. McLaughlin – listed in court documents as Scott McLaughlin – had not initiated a legal name change or transition...
  5. ↑ KSDK News (January 3, 2023). Execution of Amber McLaughlin slated for Tuesday unless clemency granted. Retrieved August 15, 2026 – via YouTube.
  6. ↑ FOX 2 St. Louis (January 3, 2023). No change in plans, Missouri to carry out sentence of Amber McLaughlin. Retrieved August 15, 2026 – via YouTube.{{cite AV media}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  7. ↑ "Missouri governor does not grant clemency, first openly transgender death row inmate to be executed". ksdk.com.
  8. ↑ "Amber McLaughlin's final words before Missouri execution". Newsweek. January 4, 2023. Retrieved August 15, 2026.
  9. ↑ Helmore, Edward (January 4, 2023). "Transgender Missouri inmate executed for fatal stabbing". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved August 15, 2026.
  10. ↑ Lhotka, William C. (November 4, 2006). "With jury divided, judge opts for death sentence for Wright City man". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved January 12, 2023.
  11. ↑ Jones, Ja'han (January 6, 2023). "The disturbing circumstances of Amber McLaughlin's execution". MSNBC.com. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  12. ↑ Patrick, Robert (August 18, 2021). "Federal appeals court reinstates death penalty in 2003 St. Louis County rape, murder". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  13. ↑ "McLaughlin v. Precythe, No. 18-3510 (8th Cir. 2021)". Justia Law. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  14. ↑ Krull, Ryan (January 3, 2023). "Missouri executes transgender woman for murdering her ex-girlfriend in 2003". St. Louis Public Radio.
  15. ↑ "Missouri executes convicted murderer Amber McLaughlin". fox2now.com.
  16. ↑ FOX 2 St. Louis (January 3, 2023). Missouri executes convicted murderer Amber McLaughlin. Retrieved August 15, 2026 – via YouTube.{{cite AV media}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
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