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Note: The following story contains material about disturbing crimes against a young girl.
Oklahoma death row inmate Kevin Ray Underwood is scheduled for execution as he faces the consequences of his actions from the horrific 2006 assault and murder of a ten-year-old girl.
Underwood, aged 44, is set to be executed by lethal injection on Thursday for the killing of his neighbor, Jamie Rose Bolin. On April 12, 2006, the young girl was brutally attacked in Underwood’s Purcell apartment, which is located approximately 40 miles south of Oklahoma City. The crime involved severe physical violence, including beating with a wooden cutting board, suffocation, followed by sexual assault and mutilation.
The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board recently denied a clemency request for Underwood, with a unanimous vote against it.
Attorney General Gentner Drummond urged the board to reject any clemency, labeling Underwood as “a child sexual predator and murderer” responsible for one of the most heinous crimes in the state’s history.
Despite this, Underwood’s attorneys claim he is a “profoundly ill man” deserving of mercy. Connie Underwood, his mother, and his legal team have maintained that he has expressed remorse for his actions over the years.
In a poignant statement during his clemency hearing, Underwood stated, “I recognize that although I do not want to die … I deserve to for what I did. And if my death could … change what I did, I would gladly die.”
His mother supports this, asserting, “Kevin knows what he took away. He’s so very aware of it. It haunts him,” in a video aired during the clemency process.
As the date of his execution approaches, this case has prompted a review of Underwood’s past, the nature of his crimes, and the factors that ultimately shaped his violent behavior.
Struggles with isolation
Throughout his life, Underwood struggled with social isolation, unable to forge lasting connections with peers or family members, which left him feeling like an outsider.
Court records depict him as someone who endured bullying and was perceived as unusual, leading to a lonely childhood.
Underwood’s relationship with his parents was fraught with challenges. His father, who wished for him to overcome his mental health issues, had a difficult relationship with Underwood, leading to feelings of inadequacy in his son. Testimonies from that time indicated that he feared disappointing his father and internalized negative feelings about himself.
His mother’s unpredictable behavior contributed to his anxiety, impacting his ability to engage with the world outside his home. Underwood held various low-skill jobs after struggling to complete college due to frequent panic attacks and social anxieties.
As time passed, Underwood’s mental health reportedly deteriorated, compelling him to retreat into the digital realm, where he sought solace in consuming disturbing content online. His online presence included a blog where he expressed dark thoughts, revealing signs of deep psychological issues.
Psychiatrists have documented various serious mental health disorders affecting Underwood, including Schizotypal personality disorder and bipolar disorder, illustrating the complex mental health landscape he faced leading up to the crime.
Failed attempts for clemency
In 2008, Underwood was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death after extended deliberation in Oklahoma’s court system. His conviction was upheld in subsequent appellate reviews, including a federal court ruling in 2018 that rejected numerous claims of trial errors alleged by his defense team.
Recently, Underwood’s legal team has challenged the constitutionality of the state’s execution protocol, hoping to delay his execution while emphasizing his mental health history as a factor deserving consideration.
Scheduled for execution at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary, Underwood’s life will come to an end on Thursday morning, which also coincides with his 45th birthday.
A family’s need for closure
Jamie Rose Bolin, affectionately known as “Coppertop,” was a vibrant young girl with a range of interests, including Girl Scouts, singing, sewing, and enjoying family movie nights. Tragically, her life was cut short, leading to immeasurable grief for her family.
On that fateful day in April 2006, after playing with friends at school, Jamie went home and was never seen alive again. Her family was left to navigate their loss while grappling with the harsh reality of her tragic fate.
Her relatives are adamant that no form of mercy should be shown to Underwood, arguing for justice in the face of such a significant loss. They express a strong desire for closure, asserting that Underwood should face the ultimate punishment for his heinous crime.
In a victim impact statement, Jamie’s sister conveyed the family’s sentiments, declaring, “You, Kevin Underwood, do not deserve clemency, and we as a family deserve closure that the monster that ended a precious life can no longer walk this earth.”
The heinous nature of the crime
Jamie became a victim of Underwood’s disturbing fantasies, which he later described to law enforcement as desires for abduction and violence that culminated in her tragic death. He lured Jamie into his apartment under the pretense of companionship.
Following the brutal attack, Underwood confessed to once again attempting to mutilate Jamie’s remains, exhibiting his complete disregard for her life and dignity.
Authorities discovered Jamie’s body after an intensive search led them to Underwood’s apartment, where he freely confessed and expressed his awareness of the evilness of his actions.
This case not only highlights the grave nature of violent crimes against children but also raises critical discussions about mental health and societal responsibility in addressing such disturbing behaviors.
Contributing: Johnny Johnson and Chad Previch, The Oklahoman
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kevin Underwood set for execution in Oklahoma girl’s brutal killing
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