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Oklahoma executes man who raped and murdered former stepdaughter
news
July 3, 2024
Oklahoma executes man who raped and murdered former stepdaughter
By ASHLYND HUFFMAN ashlynd@readfrontier.com,

Oklahoma executed Richard Rojem Jr. at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester on Thursday after nearly 40 years on death row.

Before the execution, Rojem, 66, declined to give final words and said he had already said his “goodbyes,” according to media witnesses. He requested a small Little Caesar’s pizza with double cheese and double pepperoni for his last meal. He also asked for eight salt packets, two vanilla ice cream cups and Vernor’s ginger ale.

Rojem was sentenced to death three times for the 1984 kidnap, rape, and murder of his former stepdaughter, Layla Dawn Cummings, age 7.

The court threw out Rojem’s first two death sentences from Washita County due to procedural errors. Rojem was sentenced to death for a third time in 2007 in Custer County.

Six years before Rojem raped and murdered Cummings, he sexually assaulted two teenage girls in Michigan in 1978. He served four years in the Michigan Department of Corrections.

Oklahoma Attorney General’s prosecutors said Rojem was also sexually violent against his ex-wife Mindy Cummings, who divorced him after he sexually abused Layla Cummings.

Rojem abducted Cummings from her apartment in July 1984 while her mother worked her second job at McDonald’s. A farmer later found Cummings’ body in a field near Burns Flat. She died from multiple stab wounds.

Rojem told the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board at a clemency hearing on June 17 that he had done bad things in his past, but didn’t kill Cummings. His lawyer asked the board to commute his sentence to life in prison. The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board voted 5-0 against recommending clemency for Rojem.

Rojem was unconscious at 10:08 a.m. and declared dead at 10:16 a.m., according to media witnesses.

Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond said at a press conference after the execution that Layla Cumming’s family finally has justice after 40 years. Cummings’ family didn’t attend the press conference. But Drummond read a letter on behalf of Layla’s mother, Mindy Cummings.

“Today marks the final chapter of justice determined by three separate juries for Richard Rojem’s heinous acts nearly 40 years ago when he stole her away like a monster he was,” Mindy Cummings wrote.

Mindy Cummings and Lisa Terrill, Layla’s stepsister, witnessed the execution.

Rojem was the 13th person Oklahoma has executed since it resumed executions in 2021 and the 208th since 1915. A spokesman for the Attorney General’s Office said the next execution hasn’t been scheduled yet.

A Night to Shine: Eufaula stood together in celebration of dignity and joy
A: Main, news
A Night to Shine: Eufaula stood together in celebration of dignity and joy
By STAFF WRITER 
February 18, 2026
Friday night Feb. 13, Community Culture Church was transformed into something extraordinary. Purple draping cascaded from the ceiling. Gold accents shimmered beneath soft lights. Guests first gathered...
Progress continues on the new EHS Event Center
A: Main, news
Progress continues on the new EHS Event Center
By Shauna Belyeu General Manager 
February 18, 2026
Construction continues on the new high school event center at Eufaula High School, marking a major step forward in the district’s efforts to enhance its campus facilities. Thanks to Eufaula voters, bi...
2026 BLACK HISTORY MONTH THEME: A CENTURY OF BLACK HISTORY COMMEMORATIONS
A: Main, news
2026 BLACK HISTORY MONTH THEME: A CENTURY OF BLACK HISTORY COMMEMORATIONS
By ALMA HARPER GARDENIA ART FEDERATED CLUB 
February 18, 2026
Black History is rich with achievements that have shaped our society across various fields, including politics, arts, science, and social justice. The achievements of Black individuals throughout hist...
How one boy’s illness shaped Eufaula’s story
A: Main, news
How one boy’s illness shaped Eufaula’s story
February 18, 2026
The speaker at this week’s Friends of the Eufaula Memorial Library might never have been born—and Eufaula’s history might have unfolded very differently— if her granduncle hadn’t suffered an appendici...
A: Main, news
Community invited to coffee with the chiefs
February 18, 2026
Eufaula residents are invited to grab a cup of coffee and visit with local public safety leaders during Coffee with the Chiefs, set for Monday, Feb. 23, from 10 to 11 a.m. at Eufaula City Hall, 64 Mem...
news
Paws N Claws Pet Pantry sets new hours of operation
February 18, 2026
The Paws N Claws Pet Pantry located at the Eufaula Indian Journal has set new hours of operation -Monday through Friday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Those in need of cat food or dog food from the pantry may ...
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Don Campbell celebrates turning 90
lifestyle
Don Campbell celebrates turning 90
By LaDonna Rhodes Staff Writer 
February 18, 2026
On Saturday, Feb. 7, family and friends of Don Campbell met at the Checotah Community Center to help him celebrate his 90th birthday. The center was buzzing with laughter and stories of yesteryear as ...
New Little Piggy book now on Story Walk
news
New Little Piggy book now on Story Walk
February 18, 2026
“The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs” is now displayed on the Story Walk south of the beach on the east side of Lake Eufaula. It is a humorous, fractured fairy tale told from the perspective of the wo...
Committee Work Continues
commentary
Committee Work Continues
By REP. TIM TURNER 
February 18, 2026
The second week of the legislative session was devoted primarily to committee work. Several of my bills passed this first step in the legislative process. House Bill 3759 passed the Appropriations and...
Bill to protect First Responders advances unanimously
commentary
Bill to protect First Responders advances unanimously
February 18, 2026
OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Neil Hays, R-Checotah, secured unanimous approval today in the House Civil Judiciary Committee for House Bill 4260, a measure aimed at strengthening workers’ compensation protecti...
Letters
commentary
Letters
February 18, 2026
James Finck’s last piece is leaning towards fascism. I don’t know anyone who thinks Trump didn’t win the election, but we do know he got beat in 2020 and instigated an insurrection. The first thing he...
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