David Hosier, a 69-year-old Missouri inmate scheduled for execution on Tuesday for a 2009 double murder, is steadfastly proclaiming his innocence as his final moments approach. In a statement shared with NBC News, Hosier expressed gratitude for the opportunity to speak the truth and resist bullying from lawyers. He also reflected on the chance to reconnect with his loved ones and embrace personal growth.

Hosier, who is set to be executed by lethal injection at the state prison in Bonne Terre around 6 p.m. local time, noted that unlike other death penalty cases, his has faced no further appeals or pending litigation. Despite requests for comment, his legal team remained silent on the matter.

In previous interviews conducted from prison, Hosier voiced frustration with his lawyers' approach to his clemency petition. Rather than focusing on the circumstances of the crime, Hosier believed they should have emphasized his innocence, rather than his childhood trauma and mental state. His upbringing was marred by the murder of his father, an Indiana state trooper, when Hosier was just 16.

Having openly disagreed with the angle his attorneys took, Hosier argued that his father's death held no relevance to the case at hand. Missouri Governor Mike Parson rejected Hosier's clemency submission, stating that the execution would proceed as planned due to Hosier's lack of remorse and the severe nature of his crimes.

Hosier was convicted of the shooting deaths of Jefferson City couple Rodney and Angela Gilpin. Although he admitted to having an extramarital affair with Angela while she was separated from her husband, the relationship ended as she reconciled with Rodney. Prosecutors alleged that Hosier, a scorned ex-lover seeking revenge, broke into their apartment and killed the couple. Angela's purse contained an application for a protective order against Hosier, alongside a document detailing her fears of him resorting to violence.

After his arrest in Oklahoma, law enforcement discovered a cache of firearms, ammunition, a bulletproof vest, and a knife in Hosier's car. Court documents revealed that all the guns, except for a World War II-era machine gun, were loaded. However, ballistics testing could not conclusively prove that this machine gun was the murder weapon.

The prosecution presented an incriminating note found in Hosier's car, containing warnings about the consequences of dishonesty and betrayal. Hosier maintained that he carried his guns for hunting purposes during long drives to clear his mind, asserting that there were no eyewitnesses, fingerprints, or DNA evidence linking him to the crime scene.

In May, Hosier was moved from the prison to a hospital, where he was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, resulting in an irregular pulse rate. During a recent interview from prison, he appeared winded and short of breath. In his final words from the execution chamber, Hosier plans to convey a message of love, urging others not to grieve for him but to join him when their time comes.

As the scheduled execution time draws near, David Hosier remains resolute in his claims of innocence while reflecting on his experiences and the personal growth he has undergone in prison. The execution is expected to proceed as planned unless any last-minute developments arise.