S.D. inmate executed for 1990 murder of little girl

This frame grab provided by KELO-TV shows convicted killer Donald Moeller during a court appearance in Sioux Falls, S.D., Wednesday, July 18, 2012. — KELO-TV

Donald Moeller, 60, was executed on Oct. 29, 2012, for the 1990 rape and murder of 9-year-old Becky O'Connell. O'Connell disappeared after leaving her home to buy sugar at a nearby store so she could make lemonade. Moeller died by lethal injection at the state penitentiary in Sioux Falls. His was South Dakota's second execution in October, an unusual surge for a state that has carried out just two other executions since 1913.

"I killed. I deserve to be killed," Moeller said in July 2012. He was pronounced dead at 10:24 p.m.

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This frame grab provided by KELO-TV shows Donald Moeller during a court appearance in Sioux Falls, S.D., on July 18, 2012

An undated photo of Becky O'Connell. — AP Photo/Courtesy of Dave Curl

This undated file photo taken in Lake Luzerne, N.Y. shows Becky O'Connell, who was killed in Sioux Falls, S.D., in May 1990.

Dave Curl and his wife, Tina Curl, pose for a picture in Hadley, N.Y. Tina, Becky O'Connell's mother, drove to Sioux Falls, S.D., from her home in New York to watch the execution of Donald Moeller on Oct. 29, 2012, for the 1990 rape and murder of her daughter.

On Oct. 30, 2012, Tina Curl holds an artist's rendering of what her daughter, Becky O'Connell, would look like today if she hadn't been murdered in 1990 at age 9. Her husband Dave Curl, right, told reporters that he and his wife were happy to witness the execution of Donald Moeller, who kidnapped, raped and killed Becky.

This photo shows an artist's rendering of what Becky O'Connell would look like today.

South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley speaks to media on Oct. 30, 2012, after the execution of Donald Moeller, who died by lethal injection at the South Dakota State Penitentiary in Sioux Falls.

Tina Curl holds up photographs of her daughter's grave on Oct. 30, 2012, as friend Wendy Wilson looks on. Curl spoke to reporters after witnessing the execution of Donald Moeller at the South Dakota State Penitentiary in Sioux Falls.

Tina Curl on Oct. 30, 2012, the day Donald Moeller, the man convicted of killing her 9-year-old daughter Becky O'Connell, was executed.

Leona Wieland, 65, lights candles in peaceful protest with sister Janice Klein, left, as they await the Oct. 30, 2012, execution of South Dakota State Penitentiary inmate Donald Moeller.

Leona Wieland, center, lights candles in protest with sister Janice Klein, left, and Mary Ann Garrigan as they await the evening execution of South Dakota inmate Donald Moeller.

This Oct. 30, 2012 photo shows the South Dakota State Penitentiary in Sioux Falls, S.D. as the facility prepares to execute Donald Moeller, the second inmate executed in October.

This Oct. 30, 2012 photo shows the South Dakota State Penitentiary in Sioux Falls, S.D.