Seven years after John Langley’s death, his family says they finally have closure. They witnessed the execution of Christopher Emmett around 9:00 Thursday night.

He beat co-worker John Langley to death in a Danville hotel in 2001. But this was not an easy, or quick, process. Emmett's execution was delayed twice before. Emmett claimed the way he would die… through lethal injection was unconstitutional. His argument is based on how Virginia does not allow a second dose of anesthesia, even if the first one doesn’t appear to be enough.

But a US appeals court rejected that argument earlier this month. And officials say there seemed to be no complications in his execution.

In April 2001, Emmett used a brass lamp to beat his co-worker Langley to death in a Danville Innkeeper so he could steal money for crack cocaine. Were told his family had a non-contact visit with him Thursday morning.

John Langley’s family made the trip up from Rocky Mount, North Carolina to see the execution. They say it was hard to stomach Emmett’s argument since their loved one died in a very cruel and painful way. But still, protesters at Greensville are convinced that the way Virginia lethally injects their inmates isn’t humane.

Betty Gallager, Against the Death Penalty - "I think they made the wrong decision on that because they don’t even allow our pets to be given this same cocktail of drugs."

Michael Langley, Victims Son - "What’s cruel and unusual, him getting lethal inject and paying for what he’s done, or me having to relive it basically the rest of my life because I don’t have a dad, my daughter doesn’t have a granddad."

What would have been John Langley’s birthday is this Sunday. His family says they plan to get together and celebrate, as they have every other year.

Emmett spoke just before his execution and his words raised some eyebrows. He said, "Tell my family and friends I love them, tell the governor he just lost my vote. Y'all hurry this along, I'm dying to get out of here."