Akansas execution is the first in 12 years

The US state of Arkansas has executed a convicted murdered, the first use of the death penalty in 12 years.

Ledell Lee had been on death row for more than 20 years after he was convicted of beating Debra Reese to death with a tyre iron in 1993.

His execution came after the US Supreme Court rejected a challenge arguing Arkansas was unfairly rushing several executions.

The state's supply of the drug used in lethal injections expires at the end of the month.

Lee made a request to delay the execution – his third attempt at this – but it was denied.

He was executed at Cummins Unit prison and pronounced dead at 11.56pm local time, just four minutes before the midnight expired of his death warrant, said a spokesman for the Department of Corrections.

Arkansas Attorney General Deborah Rutledge said in a statement that the victim's family "had waited 24 years to see justice done."

"I pray this lawful execution helps bring closure for the Reese family," she said.

The state's supply of midazolam, used in lethal injections with two other drugs, expires on 30 April.

Like many US states, Arkansas has struggled to find the drugs it needs to carry out executions.