The state leads veteran, who killed a friend in 1998, three children in Crestview.

Crestview, Fla. – A veteran of the Gulf War Army, which was convicted of a four -time murder in Okaloosa County, was executed on Thursday.

Jeffrey Hutchinson was convicted in Crestview in 1998 for murder of his girlfriend and her three children. He was the third person who was executed in Florida this year.

Governor Ron Desantis signed the death command against Hutchinson last month. On Wednesday, Florida's Supreme Court rejected arguments that Hutchinson should be spared fatal injection.

Desantis said at the beginning of this week that there is no reason to assume that this execution will not go through on Thursday, since Hutchinson has been in the death cell for almost 24 years.

“He may have taken her away from us, but we will never forget her,” said Desantis.

On September 11, 1998, Hutchinson left a bar in Okaloosa County after a fight with his girlfriend Renee Flaherty. Later he returned home with a 12-Guage shotgun and murdered Flaherty and her three children.

Hutchinson confessed to kill her in a 911 call, but later said it was a list. The public prosecutor says that Hutchinson has made countless attempts to limit the process.

“I didn't kill Renee and the children and I think I was framed,” said Hutchinson.

“The evidence is overwhelming about his fault,” said the prosecutor.

During the process, the medical examiner announced that there were probably two of the children who were the witness of her mother before her life was taken. It is believed that older brother Geoffrey saw the horror before he was killed.

Flahery's mother Elva Elmore and her brother Wesley spoke in 1998 at the funeral for the family.

“Geoffrey was a really clever child, Amanda loved typical girls, Barbie pieces. And Logan, he was just an energy price,” said Elmore. “I also don't understand how he could take her life. My daughter, he was angry with her, take her life, but why the children? Why not let them live?”

Hutchinson's family and friends say that he suffered from Gulf War Syndrome and Bipolar disorder. He was a ranger and fighter veteran of the army. Shortly after the murder Wear News, his son Geoffrey Hutchinson said that his behavior was unpredictable.

“He only had sudden mood swings,” said Geoffrey. “The same thing happens to me. In a minute you will be crazy in the next minute.”

“I'm a little sad because my father is in prison,” he said. “But he should be in prison so that he can get psychiatric help.”

Others say there was never reason to assume that Hutchinson would hurt Flaherty or her children.

“I mean, they did everything together, just like I do with my children,” said Creighton Adams, a friend of Hutchinson. “They thought they were his children. So he treated them and so they were all acting.”

“I didn't sleep much,” said Lee Taylor, another friend of Hutchinson. “I think of a three letter question that I will bring to my grave: why?”

“He knew exactly what he was doing,” said Desantis. “He murdered children and he murdered a woman in cold blood.”

This week says Desantis, Hutchinson's criminal history leaves no doubt where it belongs.

“We think he also murdered other people, but obviously he was convicted of it,” said Desantis. “The death sentence is therefore appropriate for someone whose crimes committed are so hideous.”

Florida uses a three-way cocktail for its fatal injection: a sedative, a paralyzing and a medication that stops the heart.

The executioner is a private person who paid 150 US dollars per execution. They are selected by the supervisor and can remain anonymous according to state law.

There are now 273 inmates in Florida's death cell.