“....who insisted even until his execution that he was innocent.”
Not a wise position to maintain when you’re about to meet your Maker! First John 1:9 says “If we CONFESS our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness.” How can ANYONE turn down an offer like THAT?!
However, that's not what he 'insisted' right after he went up and shot the cop in the face, just because the first bullet hadn't killed him.