Several SHS students have begun to form their own opinions about the situation as well. On the other hand, supporters of Higgs’ execution, including the relatives of the deceased, believe that Higgs was the source of the issue since he supplied the gun and may have ordered Haynes to commit the crime. Their reasoning is that it is unfair that Haynes was the actual murderer, but will suffer from a less severe consequence from something that has not completely been proven. This discrepancy, according to his lawyers, is not something that should warrant the death penalty. Allegedly, he also told Haynes to kill the women though this has not been confirmed, Higgs was still charged on three counts of premeditated murder.

Although the fact that Higgs did not actively participate in the murder of these three women has been accepted by the state, he still aided in the kidnapping and ultimately provided the weapon that was used. The main dispute over Higgs’ sentence is the question of the extent of his involvement in the incident.

The controversy over the use of state-authorized executions, in general, is a topic that has come to light in recent years, and with a new president to enter the Oval Office this year, these policies are bound to change. In the months leading up to this fateful date, however, Higgs’ situation has amassed national attention, as he has been given a worse punishment than that of the man who pulled the trigger. Higgs’ execution date, roughly 21 years after his conviction, was today, January 16th, 2021, only four days before President-Elect Joe Biden will formally be sworn into office. Haynes was later sentenced to life in prison, yet Higgs received a sentence for capital punishment, otherwise known as the death penalty.

On the morning of January 27, 1996, Willis Haynes shot and killed three women in Laurel, Maryland with the help of Dustin Higgs.

Dustin higgs execution