James W. Rodgers (August 3, 1910 – March 30, 1960) was an American who was sentenced to death by the state of Utah for the murder of miner Charles Merrifield in 1957.

[3] His execution by firing squad would be the last to be carried out in the United States before capital punishment was halted by the U.S. Supreme Court.

[6] Following an altercation on June 19 of that year, James W. Rodgers shot miner Charles Merrifield,[2] who died of multiple gunshot wounds to the head, arm, and torso.

[5] Rodgers was arraigned at the San Juan County Courthouse in Monticello, Utah, on June 26, 1957,[6] and was formally charged with murder.

[1] Upon being convicted and sentenced to death, Rodgers was given the choice of execution by firing squad or hanging; he chose to be shot.

[11][12] When asked for a final statement, Rodgers continued to insist that he was innocent and said, "I done told you my last request ... a bulletproof vest.

[10][11] Rodgers would be the last person to die by firing squad in the United States for almost 17 years, until Gary Gilmore became the first to be executed after the reinstatement of capital punishment by the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Gregg v.