Victim's Mother Speaks Out After Execution

by Ashley Kringen, Reporter
October 31, 2012 8:40 PM


The cell Donald Moeller occupied at the state prison for almost 22 years is empty as of Wednesday.
 
After fighting the death penalty with appeal after appeal, Moeller knew he was running out of options.

On Tuesday night, South Dakota carried out its second execution this month.

The 60-year-old was put to death by lethal injection for the kidnapping, rape, and murder of nine-year-old Becky O’Connell.

Tina Curl, Becky’s mother, traveled from the east coast to witness the execution of her daughter's killer and even after Moeller was declared dead on Tuesday night at 10:24, she still has a lot of unanswered questions.

"The only thing I wanted from him was for him to tell me what he did to Becky, how he got her," said Curl.

It's been 22 years since Moeller, took her daughter, Becky’s, innocent life away.

"She didn't deserve what happened to her," said Curl.

After traveling all the way from New York, Curl was hoping to get answers, but her wish wasn't granted.

Moeller's last words were, quote, "They're my fan club."

Curl said she wasn't able to make any eye contact with her daughter's killer, as she watched him in the execution chamber.

"He only looked toward the right when somebody came in the door, other than that, he just laid straight, looking up at the ceiling," said Curl.

 Curl said she carries guilt around with her everyday, since she lost her child.

"She'd be alive if hadn't of let her go to that store by herself," said Curl.

She said she misses Becky's sense of humor and how she used to dress up and play house with her cat.

"She was right full of life and that dirt bag took it out of her for his own sick satisfaction," said Curl.

Curl and family members said although they'll never have complete closure, Moeller’s death does bring a sense of relief, possibly helping curl rest easier at night, after living more than two decades, in the same world with Becky's murderer.

"I guess I get the last word, after all, instead of Moeller," said Curl.

Curl said on Wednesday, she had plans to go back to the crime scene to play guitar for Becky.

This was the fourth execution in the U.S. this month.