(FILES) In this file photo released February 2, 1998 by the Texas Department of Corrections, shows the gurney used to execute prisoners by lethal injection in the Huntsville Unit in Huntsville, Texas. (Photo by HO / TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS / AFP)
Washington, United States聽鈥斅燗 man convicted of murdering his ex-girlfriend was executed in the southern US state of Alabama on Thursday despite objections from the victim鈥檚 family.
Joe Nathan James, 49, was sentenced to death in 1996 for the 1994 murder of 26-year-old Faith Hall.
James鈥� time of death was 9:27 pm (0127 GMT Friday) according to the Alabama Attorney General鈥檚 office. He had been scheduled to be executed via lethal injection.
James had petitioned the US Supreme Court to stay his execution 鈥減ursuant to the wishes of the surviving members of the family of the victim.鈥�
鈥淭he victims and their families are paramount in our justice system, and deserve to be heard on the matter of the ultimate punishment of offenders,鈥� James鈥� lawyer said in an appeal to the Supreme Court.
Hall鈥檚 daughters, who were six and three years old when their mother was murdered, had said they wanted James鈥� life to be spared.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 want it to go forward. We鈥檙e not God,鈥� Terryln Hall told CBS 42.
鈥淎n eye for an eye has never been a good outlook for life,鈥� added her sister, Toni Hall.
James was convicted of shooting Faith Hall to death after she broke off their short relationship.
In a statement, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall said 鈥渏ustice has been served.鈥�
鈥淛oe James was put to death for the heinous act he committed nearly three decades ago: the cold-blooded murder of an innocent young mother, Faith Hall,鈥� he said.
James was the eighth person executed in the United States this year.