PENGUIN BOOKS
Title Page
Copyright
Introduction
1. Charlie Brooks Jr.
2. James David Autry
3. Ronald Clark O’Bryan
4. Thomas Andy Barefoot
5. Doyle Skillern
6. Stephen Peter Morin
7. Jesse de la Rosa
8. Charles Milton
9. Henry Martinez Porter
10. Charles Francis Rumbaugh
11. Charles William Bass
12. Jeffery Allen Barney
13. Jay Kelly Pinkerton
14. Rudy Ramos Esquivel
15. Kenneth Brock
16. Randy Lynn Woolls
17. Larry Smith
18. Chester Wicker
19. Michael Wayne Evans
20. Richard Andrade
21. Ramon Hernandez
22. Eliseo Hernandez Moreno
23. Anthony Charles Williams
24. Elliot Rod Johnson
25. John R. Thompson
26. Joseph Starvaggi
27. Robert Streetman
28. Donald Gene Franklin
29. Raymond Landry
30. Leon Rutherford King
31. Stephen A. McCoy
32. James Emery Paster
33. Carlos De Luna
34. Jerome Butler
35. Johnny Anderson
36. James Smith
37. Mikel James Derrick
38. Lawrence Lee Buxton
39. Ignacio Cuevas
40. Jerry Joe Bird
41. James Russell
42. G. W. Green
43. Joe Angel Cordova
44. Johnny Frank Garrett
45. David M. Clark
46. Edward Ellis
47. Billy Wayne White
48. Justin Lee May
49. Jesus Romero Jr.
50. Robert Black Jr.
51. Curtis L. Johnson
52. James Demouchette
53. Jeffery Griffin
54. Kavin Lincecum
55. Carlos Santana
56. Ramon Montoya
57. Darryl Elroy Stewart
58. Leonel Torres Herrera
59. John Sawyers
60. Markum Duff-Smith
61. Curtis Paul Harris
62. Danny Ray Harris
63. Joseph Paul Jernigan
64. David Holland
65. Carl E. Kelly
66. Ruben Montoya Cantu
67. Richard J. Wilkerson
68. Johnny James
69. Antonio Nathaniel Bonham
70. Anthony Quinn Cook
71. Clifford X. Phillips
72. Harold Amos Barnard
73. Freddie Lee Webb
74. Richard Lee Beavers
75. Larry Norman Anderson
76. Paul Rougeau
77. Stephen Ray Nethery
78. Denton Crank
79. Robert Nelson Drew
80. Jessie Gutierrez
81. George Douglas Lott
82. Walter Key Williams
83. Warren Eugene Bridge
84. Herman Robert Charles Clark Jr.
85. Raymond Kinnamon
86. Jesse Dewayne Jacobs
87. Mario Marquez
88. Clifton Charles Russell Jr.
89. Willie Ray Williams
90. Jeffery Dean Motley
91. Billy Conn Gardner
92. Samuel Hawkins
93. Noble Mays
94. Fletcher Thomas Mann
95. Ronald Keith Allridge
96. John W. Fearance
97. Karl Hammond
98. Vernon Lamar Sattiewhite
99. Carl Johnson
100. Harold Lane
101. Bernard Eugene Amos
102. Hai Hai Vuong
103. Esequel Banda
104. James Michael Briddle
105. Leo Ernest Jenkins Jr.
106. Kenneth Granviel
107. Joe Fedelfido Gonzales Jr.
108. Richard Brimage Jr.
109. John Kennedy Barefield
110. David Lee Herman
111. David Wayne Spence
112. Billy Joe Woods
113. Kenneth Edward Gentry
114. Benjamin H. Boyle
115. Ernest Orville Baldree
116. Terry Washington
117. Anthony Ray Westley
118. Clifton Eugene Belyeu
119. Richard G. Drinkard
120. Clarence Allen Lackey
121. Bruce Edwin Callins
122. Larry Wayne White
123. Robert Anthony Madden
124. Patrick F. Rogers
125. Kenneth Bernard Harris
126. Dorsie Johnson Jr.
127. Davis Losada
128. Earl Russell Behringer
129. David Stoker
130. Eddie James Johnson
131. Irineo Montoya
132. Robert Wallace West Jr.
133. James Carl Lee Davis
134. Jessel Turner
135. Benjamin C. Stone
136. John William Cockrum
137. Dwight Dwayne Adanandus
138. Ricky Lee Green
139. Kenneth Ray Ransom
140. Aua Lauti
141. Aaron Lee Fuller
142. Michael Eugene Sharp
143. Charlie Livingston
144. Michael Lee Lockhart
145. Karla Faye Tucker
146. Steven Ceon Renfro
147. Jerry Lee Hogue
148. Joseph John Cannon
149. Lesley Lee Gosch
150. Frank Basil McFarland
151. Robert Anthony Carter
152. Pedro Cruz Muniz
153. Clifford Boggess
154. Johnny Dean Pyles
155. Leopoldo Narvaiz Jr.
156. Genaro Camacho Jr.
157. Delbert Boyd Teague Jr.
158. David Allen Castillo
159. Javier Cruz
160. Jonathan Wayne Nobles
161. Kenneth Allen McDuff
162. Daniel Lee Corwin
163. Jeff Emery
164. James Ronald Meanes
165. John Moody
166. Troy Dale Farris
167. Martin Sauceda Vega
168. George Cordova
169. Danny Lee Barber
170. Andrew Cantu
171. Norman Evans Green
172. Charles Henry Rector
173. Robert Excell White
174. Aaron Christopher Foust
175. Jose De La Cruz
176. Clydell Coleman
177. William Hamilton Little
178. Joseph Stanley Faulder
179. Charles Daniel Tuttle
180. Tyrone Leroy Fuller
181. Ricky Don Blackmon
182. Charles Anthony Boyd
183. Kenneth Dunn
184. James Otto Earheart
185. Joe Mario Trevino
186. Raymond Jones
187. Willis Jay Barnes
188. William Prince Davis
189. Richard Wayne Smith
190. Alvin Crane
191. Jerry McFadden
192. Domingo Cantu Jr.
193. Desmond Jennings
194. John Lamb
195. Jose Gutierrez
196. David Long
197. James Beathard
198. Robert Atworth
199. Sammie Felder Jr.
200. Earl Carl Heiselbetz Jr.
201. Spencer Corey Goodman
202. David Hicks
203. Larry Keith Robison
204. Billy George Hughes Jr.
205. Glen Charles McGinnis
206. James Moreland
207. Cornelius Goss
208. Betty Lou Beets
209. Odell Barnes Jr.
210. Ponchai Wilkerson
211. Timothy Gribble
212. Tommy Ray Jackson
213. William Joseph Kitchens
214. Michael Lee McBride
215. James David Richardson
216. Richard Donald Foster
217. James Edward Clayton
218. Robert Earl Carter
219. Thomas Wayne Mason
220. John Albert Burks
221. Paul Selso Nuncio
222. Gary Lee Graham
223. Jessy Carlos San Miguel
224. Orien Cecil Joiner
225. Juan Salvez Soria
226. Brian Keith Roberson
227. David Oliver Cruz
228. John Thomas Satterwhite
229. Richard Wayne Jones
230. David Earl Gibbs
231. Jeffery Henry Caldwell
232. Ricky Nolen McGinn
233. Jeffery Dillingham
234. Miguel Angel Flores
235. Stacey Lamont Lawton
236. Tony Chambers
237. Garry Dean Miller
238. Daniel Joe Hittle
239. Claude Howard Jones
240. Jack Wade Clark
241. Alvin Urial Goodwin
242. Caruthers Alexander
243. Adolph Gil Hernandez
244. Dennis Thurl Dowthitt
245. Jason Eric Massey
246. David Lee Goff
247. John L. Wheat
248. Miguel A. Richardson
249. James Joseph Wilkens Jr.
250. Mack Oran Hill
251. Jeffery Carlton Doughtie
252. James Roy Knox
253. Gerald Lee Mitchell
254. Jeffery Eugene Tucker
255. Emerson Edward Rudd
256. Vincent Edward Cooks
257. Michael Patrick Moore
258. Jermarr Carlos Arnold
259. Windell Broussard
260. Randall Wayne Hafdahl Sr.
261. Monty Allen Delk
262. Gerald Wayne Tigner Jr.
263. Jose Santellan Sr.
264. William Kendrick Burns
265. Gerald Dewight Casey
266. Rodolfo Hernandez
267. Reginald Lenard Reeves
268. Ronford Lee Styron Jr.
269. Johnny Joe Martinez
270. Napoleon Beazley
271. Stanley Allison Baker Jr.
272. Daniel E. Reneau
273. Robert O. Coulson
274. Jeffrey Lynn Williams
275. Richard William Kutzner
276. T. J. Jones
277. Javier Suarez Medina
278. Gary Wayne Etheridge
279. Toronto Markkey Patterson
280. Tony Lee Walker
281. Jessie Joe Patrick
282. Ron Scott Shamburger
283. Rex Warren Mays
284. Calvin Eugene King
285. James Rexford Powell
286. Craig Neil Ogan
287. William Wesley Chappell
288. Leonard Uresti Rojas
289. James Paul Collier
290. Samuel Clark Gallamore
291. John Richard Baltazar
292. Robert Andrew Lookingbill
293. Alva Curry
294. Richard Eugene Dinkins
295. Granville Riddle
296. John William Elliott
297. Henry Earl Dunn Jr.
298. Richard Head Williams
299. Bobby Glen Cook
300. Keith Bernard Clay
301. James Blake Colburn
302. John Chavez
303. Roger Dale Vaughn
304. Bruce Charles Jacobs
305. Kia Levoy Johnson
306. Hilton Lewis Crawford
307. Christopher Black Sr.
308. Cedric Lamont Ransom
309. Allen Wayne Janecka
310. Larry Allen Hayes
311. Robert L. Henry
312. Richard Charles Duncan
313. Ivan Murphy Jr.
314. Ynobe Matthews
315. Kenneth Eugene Bruce
316. Kevin Lee Zimmerman
317. Billy Frank Vickers
318. Edward Lewis Lagrone
319. Bobby Ray Hopkins
320. Cameron Todd Willingham
321. Marcus B. Cotton
322. Kelsey Patterson
323. David Ray Harris
324. Jasen Shane Busby
325. James Vernon Allridge III
326. Andrew Flores
327. Edward Green III
328. Peter J. Miniel aka Peter Hernandez
329. Donald Loren Aldrich
330. Ricky Eugene Morrow
331. Dominique Jerome Green
332. Lorenzo Morris
333. Robert Brice Morrow
334. Demarco Markeith McCullum
335. Frederick Patrick McWilliams
336. Anthony Guy Fuentes
337. James Porter
338. Troy Albert Kunkle
339. Dennis Bagwell
340. George Anderson Hopper
341. Douglas Alan Roberts
342. Lonnie Wayne Pursley
343. Bryan Eric Wolfe
344. Richard Cartwright
345. Alexander Martinez
346. David Martinez
347. Gary Lynn Sterling
348. Robert Alan Shields Jr.
349. Francis Elaine Newton
350. Ronald Ray Howard
351. Luis Ramirez
352. Melvin Wayne White
353. Charles Daniel Thacker
354. Robert Dale Rowell
355. Shannon Charles Thomas
356. Marion Butler Dudley
357. Jaime Elizalde Jr.
358. Robert James Neville Jr.
359. Clyde Smith Jr.
360. Tommie Hughes
361. Robert Salazar Jr.
362. Kevin Christopher Kincy
363. Jackie Barron Wilson
364. Jermaine Herron
365. Jesus Ledesma Aguilar
366. Timothy Tyler Titsworth
367. Lamont Reese
368. Angel Maturino Resendiz
369. Sean Derrick O’Brien
370. Mauriceo M. Brown
371. Robert James Anderson
372. William E. Wyatt Jr.
373. Richard Hinojosa
374. Justin Fuller
375. Derrick Frazier
376. Farley Charles Matchett
377. Gregory Lynn Summers
378. Donell Jackson
379. Willie Marcel Shannon
380. Carlos Granados
381. Jonathan Bryant Moore
382. Christopher Jay Swift
383. James Lewis Jackson
384. Newton Anderson
385. Donald Miller
386. Robert Martinez Perez
387. Joseph Bennard Nichols
388. Charles Anthony Nealy
389. Vincent Gutierrez
390. Ray Lee Pippin
391. James Lee Clark
Appendix
Index
PENGUIN BOOKS
Published by the Penguin Group
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Penguin Books Ltd, Registered Offices: 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England
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First published in the United States of America by Plume,
a member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc. 2008
Previously published in a Mapache edition
First published in Great Britain by Penguin Books 2008
1
Copyright © Bill Crawford, 2006, 2008
All rights reserved
The moral right of the author has been asserted
Except in the United States of America, this book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, re-sold, hired out, or otherwise circulated without the publisher’s prior consent in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser
978-0-14-190355-2
Texas Death Row: Executions in the Modern Era presents the factual record preserved by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for each of the individual offenders executed by the State of Texas in the modern era. I refer to the modern era as the era of executions by the State of Texas by lethal injection, beginning on December 7, 1982. Since that date, Texas has executed more inmates by lethal injection than all other states combined.
In the present volume, I have listed the executed inmates in order of their execution by the State of Texas, beginning with Charlie Brooks and ending with James Lee Clark, the last execution to occur before this book went to press.
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) provided all of the information in this book, except for some of the introductory material. Those seeking more information are encouraged to visit the TDCJ website at http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/stat/deathrow.htm.
We wish to thank the public relations office at the TDCJ in Huntsville, Texas: Michelle Lyons, the public information officer; Byron Hays, the former public information officer; and Rebecca Blanton, administrative assistant. Ms. Lyons, Mr. Hays, and Ms. Blanton went out of their way to be open, honest, and cooperative. They are true professionals. We also wish to thank former TDCJ employees Larry Fitzgerald, former public information officer; and Tracy Espinoza, former public information associate. Without the helpful assistance of the dedicated TDCJ employees, this book would not have been possible to produce.
In the past few years the debate over the death penalty has increased in volume and vehemence. It is our hope that the information presented in this book will assist readers in framing informed opinions about the execution process.
(Source: Texas Department of Criminal Justice website http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/stat/ drowfacts.htm)
The following crimes are capital murder in Texas: murder of a public safety officer or firefighter; murder during the commission of kidnapping, burglary, robbery, aggravated sexual assault, arson, or obstruction or retaliation; murder for remuneration; murder during prison escape; murder of a correctional employee; murder by a state prison inmate who is serving a life sentence for any of five offenses (murder, capital murder, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated sexual assault, or aggravated robbery); multiple murders; murder of an individual under six years of age. (Editor’s note: a person convicted of capital murder may be sentenced to one of two sentences—death or life imprisonment. A person must serve at least thirty-five calendar years of a life sentence if the offense is committed prior to September 1, 1993, or at least forty years if the offense is committed after this date.)
Death row is located in the Polunsky Unit of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice in Livingston, Texas. Death row offenders are housed separately in single-person cells measuring sixty square feet, with each cell having a window. Death row offenders are also re-created individually. Offenders on death row receive a regular diet, and have access to reading, writing, and legal materials. Depending upon their custody level, some death row offenders are allowed to have a radio. The women on death row are housed at the Mountain View Unit. Offenders on death row do not have regular TDCJ ID numbers but have special death row numbers. (Editor’s note: Executions do not occur at death row. The death house, where all executions take place, is located in the northeast corner of the Walls Unit in Huntsville, Texas.)
Frank and Lorenzo Noel electrocuted July 3, 1925
S. A. and Forest Robins electrocuted April 6, 1926
Oscar and Mack Brown electrocuted July 1, 1936
Roscoe and Henderson Brown electrocuted May 6, 1938
Curtis (July 1, 1993) and Danny (July 30, 1993) Harris (both by lethal injection) Jessie (September 16, 1994) and Jose (November 18, 1999) Gutierrez (both by lethal injection).
Sodium thiopental (lethal dose—sedate person)
Pancuronium bromide (muscle relaxant—collapses diaphram and lungs)
Potassium chloride (stops heartbeat)
(Source: Texas Department of Criminal Justice)
Male inmates under the sentence of death will be housed at the Polunsky Unit of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Institutional Division located east of Huntsville on FM 350 in Livingston, Texas. Female death row inmates will be housed at the Mountain View Unit located in Gatesville, Texas.
MEDIA — Press interviews of condemned prisoners shall be scheduled by the Public Information Office and conducted at the Polunsky Unit and Mountain View Unit during specified times. Any media requesting an interview with death row inmates at Polunsky Unit or Mountain View Unit should submit names to the Public Information Office prior to the interview date. Requests will not be accepted at the Polunsky/Mountain View Units on the day of the interview. The number of inmates requested to be interviewed should be kept within reason.
The inmate may have the following visitors at the Polunsky/Mountain View Units: family member(s) and friend(s) on the list of approved visitors.
An inmate scheduled for execution shall be transported from the Polunsky/Mountain View Unit to the Huntsville Unit prior to the scheduled execution. Transportation arrangements shall be known only to the unit wardens involved, and no public announcement to either the exact time, method, or route of transfer shall be made. The Director’s Office and the Public Information Office will be notified immediately after the inmate arrives at the Huntsville Unit.
During transportation and after arrival at the Huntsville Unit, the inmate shall be constantly observed and supervised by security personnel.
The inmate may have the following visitors at the Huntsville Unit:
TDCJ Institutional Division Chaplain(s)
Minister(s)
Attorney(s)
All visits must be approved by the warden. With the exception of chaplain’s visits, all visits will be terminated by 12:30 PM on the day of the execution. No media visits will be allowed at the Huntsville Unit.
The last meal will be served at approximately 3:30–4:00 PM.
Prior to 6:00 PM, the inmate may shower and dress in clean clothes.
The Huntsville Unit Warden’s office will serve as the communications command post and only operations personnel will be allowed entry to this area. All other individuals, including witnesses to the execution, will assemble at approximately 5:54 PM in the lounge adjacent to the visiting room. All necessary arrangements to carry out the execution shall be completed at the predetermined time. Shortly after 6:00 PM, the door will be unlocked, and the inmate will be removed from the holding cell.
The inmate will be taken from the cell area into the execution chamber and secured to a gurney. A medically trained individual (not to be identified) shall insert an intravenous catheter into the condemned person’s arms and cause a saline solution to flow.
At a predetermined time, the witnesses shall be escorted to the execution chamber.
Witnesses shall include:
MEDIA – One Texas Bureau representative designated by the Associated Press, one Texas Bureau representative designated by the United Press International, one representative for the Huntsville Item, and one representative each from established separate rosters of print and broadcast media will be admitted to the execution chamber as witnesses, provided those designated agree to meet with all media representatives present, immediately subsequent to the execution. No recording devices, either audio or video, shall be permitted in the unit or in the execution chamber.
Policy allows for up to five pre-approved witnesses requested by the condemned and up to five immediate family members or close friends of the victim to attend.
Once the witnesses are in place, the warden shall allow the condemned person to make a last statement. Upon completion of the statement, if any, the warden shall signal for the execution to proceed. At the time, the designee(s) of the Director, shall induce by syringe, substance and/or substances necessary to cause death. The individuals) shall be visually separated from the execution by a wall and locked door, and shall also not be identified. After the inmate is pronounced dead, the body shall be immediately removed from the execution chamber, taken to an awaiting vehicle, and delivered to a local funeral home for burial by the family or state. The inmate may request that his body be donated to the state anatomical board for medical research purposes. Arrangements for the body, are to be concluded prior to the execution, shall be made per Vernon’s Ann. C.C.P, Article 43.25.
The Director of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Institutional Division in accordance with Article 43.23 shall return the death warrant and certificate with a statement of any such act and his proceedings endorsed thereon, together with a statement showing what disposition was made of the body of the convict, to the clerk of the court in which the sentence was passed.
(Information from the Death Penalty Information Center and Amnesty International)
Every attempt has been made to report all information for each executed offender. Information not available at the time of publication is indicated by “n/a.” Lengthy written and spoken last statements have been included in the Appendix. An alphabetical index of inmates is displayed in the Index.
Executed: December 7, 1982
Personal data: Born: September 1, 1942. Race: Black. Height: n/a. Weight: n/a. Education: n/a. Prior occupation: n/a. County of conviction: Tarrant. Age at time of execution: 40.
Sentenced to death for: The December 14, 1976, kidnapping and murder of used car lot mechanic David Gregory.
Codefendant: Woodie Lourdes was also charged with capital murder in connection with the slaying.
Received at death row: April 15, 1978. Time on death row: 1,697 days (4.65 years).
Last meal: T-bone steak, french fries, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, rolls, peach cobbler, iced tea, and a toothpick.
Last statement: [To witness Vanessa Sapp, his girlfriend] “I love you. Be strong.”
Pronounced dead: 12:16 A.M.
Note: Brooks was the first person to be executed by lethal injection in the United States and the first person executed in Texas following the reinstatement of the death penalty in 1974. He was the sixth person in the United States to be executed after the reinstatement.
Executed: March 14, 1984
Personal data: Born: September 27, 1954. Race: White. Height: n/a. Weight: n/a. Education: n/a. Prior occupation: n/a. County of conviction: Jefferson. Age at time of execution: 29.
Sentenced to death for: Shot and killed Shirley Crouet, a convenience store clerk, during a robbery on April 20, 1980. The robbery netted one six-pack of beer.
Received at death row: October 10, 1980. Time on death row: 1,251 days (3.43 years).
Last meal: Hamburger, french fries, and Dr Pepper.
Last statement: None.
Pronounced dead: 12:40 a.m.
Executed: March 31, 1984
Personal data: Born: October 19, 1944. Race: White. Height: 5′10″. Weight: 215 pounds. Education: 14 years. Prior occupation: Optician. County of conviction: Harris. Age at time of execution: 39.
Sentenced to death for: Convicted in the murder of his son, Timothy O’Bryan. O’Bryan poisoned the boy’s Halloween candy with cyanide.
Note: Ronald O’Bryan was nicknamed the Candy Man in the press.
Received at death row: July 14, 1975. Time on death row: 3,183 days (8.72 years).
Last meal: T-bone steak (medium to well-done), french fries and ketchup, whole-kernel corn, sweet peas, lettuce and tomato salad with egg and French dressing, iced tea (sweet), saltines, ice cream, Boston cream pie, and rolls.
Last statement: See Appendix.
Pronounced dead: 12:48 a.m.
Executed: October 30, 1984
Personal data: Born: February 23, 1945. Race: White. Height: n/a. Weight: n/a. Education: 10 years. Prior occupation: Cement finisher, oil field worker, derrick man. County of conviction: Bell. Age at time of execution: 39.
Sentenced to death for: Convicted in the August 7, 1978, capital murder of police officer Carl Levin near Killeen. Barefoot shot Officer Levin with a .25 caliber pistol to avoid arrest. Barefoot was apprehended in Beaumont after bragging about the murder.
Note: Prior to the murder of Levin, Barefoot had been arrested for the rape of the three-year-old daughter of his estranged girlfriend. He escaped from jail by digging himself out with a spoon.
Received at death row: November 21, 1978. Time on death row: 2,170 days (5.95 years).
Last meal: Chef salad with crackers, chili with beans, steamed rice, seasoned pinto beans, corn O’Brien, seasoned mustard greens, hot spiced beets, and iced tea.
Last statement: “I hope that one day we can look back on the evil that we’re doing right now like the witches we burned at the stake. I want everybody to know that I hold nothing against them. I forgive them all. I hope everybody I’ve done anything to will forgive me. I’ve been praying all day for Carl Levin’s wife to drive the bitterness from her heart, because the bitterness that’s in her heart will send her to hell just as surely as any other sin. I’m sorry for everything that I’ve ever done to anybody. I hope they’ll forgive me. Sharon, tell all my friends good-bye, you know who they are: Charles Bass, David Powell…”
Pronounced dead: 12:24 a.m.
Executed: January 16, 1985
Personal data: Born: April 8, 1936. Race: White. Height: 5′7″. Weight: 125 pounds. Education: 12 years. Prior occupation: Sales. County of conviction: Lubbock. Age at time of execution: 48.
Sentenced to death for: Convicted of capital murder in the October 23, 1974, shooting death of Texas Department of Public Safety narcotics officer Patrick Allen Randel during an undercover drug buy near the town of George West.
Received at death row: March 3, 1975. Time on death row: 3,607 days (9.88 years).
Last meal: Sirloin steak, baked potato, peas, a roll, banana pudding, and coffee.
Note: At the end of the meal Skillern said, “My compliments to the chef.”
Last statement: “I pray that my family will rejoice and will forgive, thank you.”
Pronounced dead: 12:23 a.m.
Executed: March 13, 1985
Personal data: Born: February 19, 1951. Race: White. Height: n/a. Weight: n/a. Education: n/a. Prior occupation: n/a. County of conviction: Jefferson and Nueces. Age at time of execution: 34.
Sentenced to death for: Convicted in the December 11, 1981, murder of Carrie Marie Scott, 21, who police said was shot in a robbery attempt outside a San Antonio restaurant. This crime was made a capital offense when Morin stole Scott’s car after shooting her.
Received at death row: April 16, 1982. Time on death row: 1,062 days (2.91 years).
Last meal: Bread without yeast (unleavened).
Last statement: “Heavenly Father, I give thanks for this time, for the time that we have been together, the fellowship of your world, the Christian family presented to me [he called the names of the personal witnesses]. Allow your holy spirit to flow as I know your love has been showered upon me. Forgive them for they know not what they do as I know that you have forgiven me, as I have forgiven them. Lord Jesus I commit my soul to you, I praise you, and I thank you.”
Pronounced dead: 12:55 a.m.
Executed: May 15, 1985
Personal data: Born: September 22, 1960. Race: Hispanic. Height: 5′9″. Weight: 220 pounds. Education: 9 years. Prior occupation: Laborer. County of conviction: Bexar. Age at time of execution: 24.
Sentenced to death for: Convicted in the slaying of Masaoud Ghazali, a former captain in the Iranian Air Force, who was shot twice in the head during a robbery at a San Antonio convenience store August 22, 1979. The robbery netted only one six-pack of beer; the cash register could not be opened.
Received at death row: May 18, 1982. Time on death row: 1,093 days (2.99 years).
Last meal: Spanish rice, refried beans, flour tortillas, a T-bone steak, tea, chocolate cake, and jalapeño peppers.
Last statement: Gave last statement in Spanish. No record kept.
Pronounced dead: 12:17 a.m.
Executed: June 25, 1985
Personal data: Born: March 15, 1951. Race: Black. Height: 5′6″. Weight: 165 pounds. Education: 7 years. Prior occupation: Cook. County of conviction: Tarrant. Age at time of execution: 34.
Sentenced to death for: Convicted of capital murder for the robbery and murder of liquor store owner Menaree Denton in Fort Worth. Her husband, Leonard Denton, was also shot but survived to testify against Milton.
Received at death row: January 18, 1979. Time on death row: 2,350 days (6.44 years).
Last meal: T-bone steak, french fries, tossed salad with French dressing, ketchup, hot rolls, and chocolate cake.
Last statement: “There’s no god but Allah, and unto thee I belong and unto thee I return. I want to continue to tell my brothers and sisters to be strong.”
Pronounced dead: 1:33 a.m.
Executed: July 9, 1985
Personal data: Born: December 12, 1941. Race: Hispanic. Height: 5′6″. Weight: 125 pounds. Education: 9 years. Prior occupation: Painter’s helper. County of conviction: Tarrant. Age at time of execution: 43.
Sentenced to death for: Convicted of capital murder in the November 29, 1975, shooting death of Henry P. Malloux, a Fort Worth police officer who had stopped Porter on an investigation of three armed robberies.
Received at death row: July 28, 1976. Time on death row: 3,268 days (8.95 years).
Last meal: Flour tortillas, a T-bone steak, refried beans, tossed salad, jalapeño peppers, ice cream, and chocolate cake.
Last statement: “I want to thank Father Walsh for his spiritual help. I want to thank Bob Ray [Sanders] and Steve Blow for their friendship. What I want people to know is that they call me a cold-blooded killer, when I shot a man that shot me first. The only thing that convicted me was that I am a Mexican and that he was a police officer. People hollered for my life, and they are to have my life tonight. The people never hollered for the life of the policeman that killed a 13-year-old boy who was handcuffed in the backseat of a police car. The people never hollered for the life of a Houston police officer who beat up and drowned Jose Campo Torres and threw his body in the river. You call that equal justice. This is your equal justice. This is America’s equal justice. A Mexican’s life is worth nothing. When a policeman kills someone he gets a suspended sentence or probation. When a Mexican kills a police officer, this is what you get. From there you call me a cold-blooded murderer. I didn’t tie anybody to a stretcher. I don’t pump any poison into anybody’s veins from behind a locked door. You call this justice. I call this and your society a bunch of cold-blooded murderers. I don’t say this with any bitterness or anger. I just say this with truthfulness. I hope God forgives me for all my sins. I hope that God will be as merciful to society as he has been to me. I’m ready, Warden.”
Pronounced dead: 12:31 a.m.
Executed: September 11, 1985
Personal data: Born: June 23, 1957. Race: White. Height: n/a. Weight: n/a. Education: n/a. Prior occupation: n/a. County of conviction: Potter. Age at time of execution: 28.
Sentenced to death for: Convicted in the April 4, 1975, slaying of Michael Fiorillo, 58, during a jewelry store robbery. Rumbaugh was 17 years old at the time of the offense.
Note: After being sentenced to death in 1976, Rumbaugh threatened to kill the judge, D.A., bailiff, and his attorney. In February 1983, Rumbaugh was critically wounded in a courtroom after he lunged at a deputy U.S. marshal with a makeshift weapon and shouted, “Shoot me.”
Received at death row: August 25, 1976. Time on death row: 3,304 days (9.05 years).
Last meal: One flour tortilla and water.
Last statement: “D.J., Laurie, Dr. Wheat, about all I can say is good-bye, and for the rest of you, although you don’t forgive me for my transgressions, I forgive yours against me. I am ready to begin my journey and that’s all I have to say.” See Appendix for written last statement.
Pronounced dead: 12:27 a.m.
Executed: March 12, 1986
Personal data: Born: January 10, 1957. Race: White. Height: 5′6″. Weight: 135 pounds. Education: 9 years. Prior occupation: Sheet and metal mechanic. County of conviction: Harris. Age at time of execution: 29.
Sentenced to death for: Capital murder. On August 16, 1979, Bass robbed a lounge at gunpoint and fled. Half a mile from the robbery, he was seen coincidentally by two Houston city marshals who had a traffic warrant on him. Bass was stopped by the officers, who noticed his pockets stuffed with rolled coins and dollar bills. Bass pulled out an automatic pistol and shot Officer Baker in the stomach, then shot at Baker’s partner and missed. He then shot Baker again as Baker lay on the pavement. Bass fled and was arrested four days later in Covington, Kentucky. Officer Baker died.
Received at death row: September 9, 1980. Time on death row: 2,010 days (5.51 years).
Last meal: A plain cheese sandwich.
Last statement: “I deserve this. Tell everyone I said good-bye.”
Pronounced dead: 12:21 a.m.
Executed: April 16, 1986
Personal data: Born: March 1, 1958. Race: White. Height: 5′8″. Weight: 145 pounds. Education: n/a. Prior occupation: n/a. County of conviction: Harris. Age at time of execution: 28.
Sentenced to death for: Convicted in the rape-strangulation death of a Pasadena, Texas, game room manager, Ruby Mock Longsworth, whose husband, a clergyman, had befriended Barney. Mrs. Longsworth was murdered in her home, strangled with a microphone cord.
Received at death row: June 17, 1982. Time on death row: 1,399 days (3.83 years).
Last meal: Two boxes of Frosted Flakes and one pint of milk.
Last statement: “I’m sorry for what I’ve done. I deserve this. Jesus forgive me.”
Pronounced dead: 12:22 a.m.
Executed: May 15, 1986
Personal data: Born: February 14, 1962. Race: White. Height: 6′0″. Weight: 159 pounds. Education: 10 years (GED). Prior occupation: Truck driver. County of conviction: Nueces and Potter. Age at time of execution: 24.
Sentenced to death for: Convicted of capital murder for the death of Sarah Donn Lawrence on October 26, 1979, during a robbery (or burglary) with intent to rape. Lawrence suffered thirty or more stab wounds to her body and face. Pinkerton was also convicted of capital murder for the stabbing death of Sherry Welch, a furniture store employee in Amarillo. Ms. Welch was stabbed approximately thirty times and raped.
Note: Pinkerton was 17 years of age at the time of the offense.
Received at death row: June 29, 1981. Time on death row: 1,781 days (4.88 years).
Last meal: Fish sandwich, french fries, and milk.
Note: Pinkerton did not eat during the day in honor of Ramadan, the Muslim fasting month.
Last statement: [To his father, who witnessed the execution] “Be strong for me. I want you to know I’m at peace with myself and with my God. I bear witness that there is not God but Allah. With your praise I ask for forgiveness and I return unto you. I love you, Dad.”
Pronounced dead: 12:25 a.m.
Executed: June 9, 1986
Personal data: Born: n/a. Race: Hispanic. Height: n/a. Weight: n/a. Education: n/a. Prior occupation: n/a. County of conviction: Harris. Age at time of execution: 50.
Sentenced to death for: Convicted in the June 8, 1978, slaying of Houston narcotics officer Tim Hearn.
Received at deathrow: August 30, 1978. Time on death row: 2,840 days (7.78 years).
Last meal: Fried breast of chicken, corn on the cob, french fries, jalapeño peppers, and pecan pie.
Last statement: “Good-bye to all my friends. Be cool. Thank you for being my friends. Give my love to everybody.”
Pronounced dead: 12:21 a.m.
Executed: June 19, 1986
Personal data: Born: n/a. Race: White.Height: n/a. Weight: n/a. Education: n/a.
Prior occupation: n/a. County of conviction: Harris. Age at time of execution: 37.
Sentenced to death for: Convicted in the 1974 robbery and shooting death of 7-Eleven store manager Michael Sedita.
Received at death row: March 27, 1975. Time on death row: 4,102 days (11.24 years).
Last meal: Large double-meat cheeseburger with mustard, and Dr Pepper.
Last statement: “I have no last words. I am ready.”
Pronounced dead: 12:18 a.m.
Executed: August 20, 1986
Personal data: Born: November 21, 1949. Race: White. Height: 5′11″. Weight: 182 pounds. Education: 10 years. Prior occupation: Carpenter.
County of conviction: Tom Green. Age at time of execution: 36.
Sentenced to death for: Convicted of capital murder in the death of Betty Stotts, age 43, a ticket teller at the Bolero Drive-In in Kerrville. On June 16, 1979, Woolls entered the ticket booth of the drive-in, hit Ms. Stotts on the head with a blunt instrument, stabbed her repeatedly, and then set her on fire. Woolls took $600 from the cash register, stole Ms. Stotts’s car, and drove it into the drive-in. Stotts’s car was recognized and Woolls was arrested on-site; the stolen cash was in his pocket. Woolls was said to be under the influence of Valium and beer.
Received at death ow: November 15, 1979. Time on death row: 2,470 days (6.77 years).
Last meal: Two cheeseburgers, fries, and iced tea. He later requested chocolate cake.
Last statement: “Good-bye to my family. I love all of you. I’m sorry for the victim’s family. I wish I could make it up to them. I want those out there to keep fighting the death penalty.”
Pronounced dead: 12:23 a.m.
Executed: August 22, 1986
Personal data: Born: August 26, 1955. Race: Black. Height: n/a. Weight: n/a. Education: n/a. Prior occupation: Laborer. County of conviction: Dallas. Age at time of execution: 30.
Sentenced to death for: Convicted of killing Mike Mason, a night manager of a 7-Eleven store in Dallas, on February 3, 1978. Mason and Fred Norris were working the midnight shift when Larry Smith and Gloster Ray Smith entered the store at 3:15 a.m. and demanded the safe be opened. Mason did not have the two keys needed to open the safe. Smith then took the cash drawer and shot Mason once in the back of the head as he lay facedown on the floor.
Received at death row: September 19, 1979. Time on death row: 2,529 days (6.93 years).
Last meal: Smothered steak and gravy, french fries, lemon pie, and Coke.
Last statement: “Tell my mother I love her and continue on without me. Tell the guys on death row to continue their struggle to get off death row. That’s about it.”
Pronounced dead: 12:24 a.m.
Executed: August 26, 1986
Personal data: Born: August 28, 1948. Race: White. Height: 6′1″. Weight: n/a. Education: 10 years. Prior occupation: Shrimper. County of conviction: Galveston. Age at time of execution: 37.
Sentenced to death for: Convicted in the April 1980 slaying of Suzanne C. Kruth, 22. Kruth was abducted from a Beaumont shopping center and taken to an isolated location near Galveston Beach. Wicker choked her, then buried her alive. Wicker confessed to the crime and led officials to the location of the body.
Received at death row: March 5, 1981. Time on death row: 2,000 days (5.48 years).
Last meal: Lettuce and tomatoes.
Last statement: “I love you.”
Pronounced dead: 12:20 a.m.
Executed: December 4, 1986
Personal data: Born: November 13, 1956. Race: Black. Height: n/a. Weight: n/a. Education: n/a. Prior Occupation: Auto mechanic. County of conviction: Dallas. Age at time of execution: 30.
Sentenced to death for: Convicted of capital murder in the June 1977 shooting death of 36-year-old Elvira Guerrero during a robbery in the Oak Cliff area of Dallas. Guerrero, a pianist with the Second Mexican Baptist Church in Oak Cliff, was leaving church with friend Mario Garza when they were abducted by Evans and his codefendant, Earl Stanley Smith. In a statement to police, Evans admitted robbing Guerrero of $40, shooting her twice, and then cutting her face with a carpet knife as she prayed to God to forgive her attacker. Garza was also found shot to death.
Codefendent: Earl Stanley Smith received a life sentence for murder.
Received at death row: September 8, 1978. Time on death row: 3,009 days (8.24 years).
Last meal: Declined last meal.
Last statement: “I want to say I’m sorry for the things I’ve done and I hope I’m forgiven. I don’t hold nothing against no one. Everyone has treated me well and I know it’s not easy for them. That’s all, I’m sorry.”
Pronounced dead: 12:21 a.m.
Executed: December 18, 1986
Personal data: Born: April 4, 1961. Race: Hispanic. Height: 5′10″. Weight: 169 pounds. Education: 7 years. Prior occupation: House leveler, forklift operator. County of conviction: Nueces. Age at time of execution: 25.
Sentenced to death for: Convicted of stabbing Cordelia Mae Guevara more than fourteen times in the course of sexually assaulting her in Corpus Christi on March 20, 1984.
Received at death row: November 9, 1984. Time on death row: 769 days (2.11 years).
Last meal: Pizza, pinto beans, Spanish rice, and cake.
Last statement:None.
Pronounced dead: 12:32 a.m.
Executed: January 30, 1987
Personal data: Born: March 2, 1942. Race: Hispanic. Height: 5′3″. Weight: 130 pounds. Education: 9 years. Prior occupation: Welder. County of conviction: El Paso. Age at time of execution: 44.
Sentenced to death for: Convicted of capital murder in the June 20, 1980, shooting death of Oscar Martin Frayre, a mechanic at a gas station in El Paso. Frayre, who was staying overnight at the station, was shot three times after Hernandez broke in and robbed the station.
Received at death row: September 30, 1980. Time on death row: 2,313 days (6.34 years).
Last meal: Beef tacos, beef enchiladas, jalapeño peppers, salad, onions, hot sauce, shredded cheese, and coffee.
Last statement: “Only to my wife: I love her. Only to my kids: I love my kids. [Looking at his wife] I will always love you. You know that.”
Pronounced dead: 1:13 a.m.
Executed: March 4, 1987
Personal data: Born: September 15, 1959. Race: Hispanic. Height: 5′9″. Weight: 155 pounds. Education: 10 years. Prior occupation: Mechanic. County of conviction: Fort Bend. Age at time of execution: 27.
Sentenced to death for: Convicted of capital murder in the October 11, 1983, shooting death of Texas Department of Public Safety trooper Russell Lynn Boyd near Hempstead. Boyd, 25, was one of six people prosecutors said Moreno killed during a 160-mile crime spree that started in College Station with the slaying of his brother-in-law, Juan Garza, and Garza’s wife, Esther Garza. Boyd was shot to death after stopping Moreno on Texas 6 north of Hempstead for a traffic violation. Moreno was also charged with the shooting deaths of James Bennatte, 62, Allie Wilkins, 79, and Ann Bennatt, 70, in Hempstead. Moreno later kidnapped a family of five and forced them to drive him to Pasadena, Texas. He then abducted a Friendswood man, who, at gunpoint, drove Moreno south on U.S. 59 toward the Rio Grande Valley. DPS officers stopped the car at a roadblock in Wharton County and arrested Moreno. In October 1985, Moreno pleaded guilty to murder in the Garza killings and was given a forty-five-year sentence. Prosecutors said Moreno killed the Garzas because they wouldn’t help him find his estranged wife.
Received at death row: February 14, 1984. Time on death row: 1,114 days (3.05 years).
Last meal: Four cheese enchiladas, two fish patties, french fries, milk, ketchup, and lemon pie.
Last statement: “I’m here because I’m guilty. I have no grudges against anyone. I am paying according to the laws of the State of Texas.”
Pronounced dead: 12:19 a.m.
Executed: May 28, 1987
Personal data: Born: November 8, 1959. Race: Black. Height: 5′9″. Weight: 169 pounds. Education: 11 years. Prior occupation: Carpenter. County of conviction: Harris. Age at time of execution: 27.
Sentenced to death for: Convicted in the June 1978 death of Vickie Lynn Wright, 13, who was abducted from a bowling alley, sexually assaulted, and then beaten to death with a board.
Received at death row: November 8, 1978. Time on death row: 3,123 days (8.56 years).
Last meal: Fish, tartar sauce, french fries, ketchup, white bread, and milk.
Last statement: “Mother, I am sorry for all the pain I’ve caused you. Please forgive me. Take good care of yourself. Ernest and Otis, watch out for the family. Thank all of you who have helped me.”
Pronounced dead: 12:22 a.m.
Executed: June 24, 1987
Personal data: Born: August 17, 1958. Race: Black. Height: 5′7″. Weight: 164 pounds. Education: n/a. Prior occupation: n/a. County of conviction: Jefferson. Age at time of execution: 28.
Sentenced to death for: Convicted of capital murder in the April 1982 execution-style shooting death of 67-year-old Joseph Granado during a robbery at Granado’s jewelry store. Store clerk Arturo Melendez, 45, was also killed in the robbery. Both victims were shot in the head at close range after being ordered to lie on the floor. A quantity of jewelry taken in the robbery was later found at the home of Johnson’s codefendant, Maurice Andrews, of Port Arthur.
Received at death row: May 27, 1983. Time on death row: 1,489 days (4.08 years).
Last meal: A cheeseburger and fries.
Last statement: “I am very sorry for bringing all the pain and hurt to the family. I hope you find it in your heart to forgive me. Try not to worry too much about me. Remember one thing, Mother, I love you.”
Pronounced dead: 12:55 a.m.
Executed: July 8, 1987
Personal data: Born: January 27, 1955. Race: White. Height: n/a. Weight: n/a. Education: n/a. Prior occupation: Laborer. County of conviction: Bexar. Age at time of execution: 32.
Sentenced to death for: Convicted of capital murder in the May 1977 shooting death of 70-year-old Mary Kneupper during a robbery attempt at her mini-storage business in San Antonio. Kneupper was shot in the neck with a .45 caliber pistol and later died at a San Antonio hospital.
Received at death row: September 25, 1978. Time on death row: 3,208 days (8.79 years).
Last meal: Fresh-squeezed orange juice.
Last statement: None.
Pronounced dead: 12:20 a.m.
Executed: September10, 1987
Personal data: Born: November 1, 1952. Race: White. Height: 5′9″ Weight: 154 pounds. Education: n/a. Prior occupation: n/a.ounty of conviction: Montgomery. Age at time of execution: 34.
Sentenced to death for: