Europe’s top human rights watchdog reacted with dismay to the execution of California’s oldest inmate today, saying it was regrettable the governor rejected clemency for the man who arranged a triple murder 25 years ago.

California executed its oldest condemned inmate early today for arranging a triple murder 25 years ago to silence witnesses to another killing.

The US Supreme Court has rejected an appeal from a 76-year-old convicted killer who argued that he was too old and feeble to be executed.