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Twin Who Secretly Swapped Places With Brother In Jail To Watch His Execution

Twin Who Secretly Swapped Places With Brother In Jail To Watch His Execution

David Moore claims his brother 'isn't like what he was' anymore

Tom Wood

Tom Wood

An identical twin who once exchanged places with his murderer brother in prison will also be present at his execution next week.

David Moore and Carey Dean Moore, both 60, swapped places inside a Nebraska State Penitentiary whilst they were both serving sentences.

They asked for a meeting to talk together in private about a family matter and then swapped clothes and prison jobs so that David could take his brother's place on Death Row.

They arranged the switch so that Carey could try to escape and taste the air of freedom once more, according to a report in the Lincoln Journal Star at the time.

Nebraska Department of Corrections

Now, more than 30 years after they changed places with each other, David is going to see his brother die.

Dean - as his brother calls him - murdered two taxi drivers and is now down to become Nebraska's first prisoner to be executed with a lethal injection.

Dean is the longest serving Death Row inmate in his state and was incarcerated in 1979 for the murders of Reuel Van Ness Jr. and Maynard Helgeland.

His execution will take place next Tuesday.

His brother said that he was asked to be present by his brother, and he will honour his wishes.

"It will not be easy, no," he said.

"But Dean wants me there, so I have little choice."

David says that at the time of his brother's crimes - which took place within five days of each other - he and his brother were 'animals' that 'weren't fit to be allowed in society'.

He claims that his brother 'isn't like what he was' now.

It's not set in stone that Dean will be executed next week, as he has been given several execution dates before this and it has not yet happened.

Steve Helgeland, the son of Maynard - who was killed by Dean - said that has his doubts about whether the execution will go ahead.

Death penalty protesters outside the court in Lincoln, Nebraska.
PA

He told the Omaha World-Herald: "Until it happens, I don't have any faith Nebraska will get it done."

Helgeland also wrote on Facebook: "With the impending execution of the murderer of Maynard Helgeland and Reuel Van Ness a few thoughts cross my mind.

"While his execution and death are not a pleasant thing and I am positive his family will experience pain over his loss they have had 40 years to prepare themselves for this, 40 years to bond, 40 years to share, 40 years is a long time.

Carey Dean Moore's victims.
KETV 7

"The murderer only allowed me 13 years total with my father. I would trade 20 years of my life to get 40 years with my father."

Featured Image Credit: KETV 7

Topics: execution, America, Death Row, US News, Twins, Prison, USA