[Deathpenalty] death penalty news----TEXAS, LA., KAN.

[Rick Halperin]

Dec. 13



TEXAS:

Attorney Disputes Collection of Evidence after Store Owner's Killing


A suspect in the convenience store robbery that ended with the owner's death 
was back in court Friday morning.

Daniel Garcia is 1 of 3 people charged with capital murder in the death of 
59-year-old Ben Mustafa.

His attorney told the judge that some of the evidence in this case was obtained 
illegally. The attorney claims that when police found the rifle used in the 
deadly robbery no consent form was signed.

Officers testified this morning they received verbal consent.

Prosecutors have already announced they'll seek the death penalty against 
Garcia.

The other 2 defendants, Victoria Del Cavazos and Arturo Navarro, are facing 
anywhere from 5 years to life in prison.

(source: KRIS TV news)

***********************

Judge: Texas Must Reveal Execution Drug Maker


A judge has ordered Texas to release the name of the compounding pharmacy that 
provides the state its execution drug, but attorneys pushing for the disclosure 
said Friday that they don't expect to get the information anytime soon.

District Judge Darlene Byrne ruled Thursday that the company's name is a matter 
of public record, despite arguments from the Texas Department of Criminal 
Justice that disclosing it would be a safety risk. Texas had released the name 
of its drug suppliers for years, but in May, Attorney General Greg Abbott 
changed course and cited undisclosed threats made to a new company supplying 
the drug.

Similar fights are ongoing in other death penalty states like Oklahoma, 
Missouri and Ohio. But courts - including the U.S. Supreme Court - have yet to 
halt an execution based on a state's refusal to reveal its drug supplier.

In Texas, Byrne sided with attorneys who filed a lawsuit earlier this year 
pushing for disclosure of the names of the company that supplies the execution 
drug and of the compounding pharmacy that prepares the drug when it's used for 
executions. 2 of the suing attorneys, all of whom regularly work with death-row 
inmates, said the ruling is a victory even though they don't expect the state 
to release the names pending its appeal.

"This is about the drugs, but it's also about open government," attorney Maurie 
Levin said. Fellow lawyer Phil Durst said the drugs "are coming from somewhere, 
and who is the compounder is a vital piece of information."

The Department of Criminal Justice plans to appeal, according to spokesman 
Jason Clark. He said the state maintains that "disclosing the identity of the 
pharmacy would result in the harassment of the business and would raise serious 
safety concerns for the business and its employees."

Clark also noted that state and federal courts have often sided with states on 
the issue.

The lawsuit originally included 2 Texas death row inmates, but both have since 
been executed. Texas has 12 execution scheduled for the first 5 months of next 
year, but it was unclear what effect, if any, Thursday's decision would have on 
them. Durst said the case now moves to an appeals court in Austin but may 
eventually be heard by the Texas Supreme Court.

Texas uses one drug during its lethal injections, pentobarbital. Abbott - who 
was elected governor in November - had long said that the benefits of 
government transparency outweighed the Department of Criminal Justice's desire 
to keep information secret about its execution-drug supplier.

But during his campaign for governor 7 months ago, the Republican changed his 
mind and said the drug supplier's identity should remain secret.

(source: Associated Press)

**************

Last exit: The crimes and final words of all prisoners Texas put to death in 
the last 3 years


The next scheduled execution in Texas won't take place until at least January, 
so the book is closed on 2014, with 10 executions carried out this year in the 
most active death penalty state in the union. 16 prisoners were executed in 
Texas in 2013, and 15 in 2012.

Texas is also notable for keeping a record of the final words uttered by each 
inmate as a lethal injection is applied. Other publications have noted this and 
published some selections, but you rarely see prisoner last words paired with 
the offenses that they committed. Looking at that combined information is oddly 
compelling.

Let me be clear: I loathe the death penalty. I would rather every single one of 
these people were still rotting away in a prison cell somewhere. Capital 
punishment in the form of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole 
not only assures punishment, but it also assures that a mistaken prosecution 
can be undone. Some of the crimes detailed here are horrific. But others are 
situational, committed in the heat of the moment, and raise a question whether 
they would be tried as capital crimes in other states.

In the case of low-IQ objections to an execution, we've noted it. But mostly, 
we've tried to summarize the offenses here as sparingly as possible. It's just 
the facts, and then the final words, for the 41 prisoners put to death in the 
last 3 years. A note about some of the final utterances - prisoners will 
sometimes say something about the feeling of drugs entering their system before 
they lose consciousness. This is noted in the record as well.

Miguel Paredes, Oct. 28, 2014. Hispanic male. With 2 others, shot and killed 3 
members of the Mexican Mafia who showed up to collect drug money from Paredes' 
gang. The victims were then dumped at a remote location and set on fire. 18 
years old at the time of offense, 32 at the time of execution.

To the victim's family, I want you to know that I hope you let go of all of the 
hate because of all my actions. I came in as a lion and I come as peaceful as a 
lamb. I'm at peace. I hope society sees who else they are hurting with this. To 
my loved ones, I hope both victims find in their hearts to forgive me, and I 
have forgave everyone and I love everyone, pray for my soul and I forgive 
myself. I love y'all and I'll be waiting for y'all, my brother take care of my 
family. Take care of my girl, my mom, my sons and all of my loved ones. Brother 
Wayne and Brother Joe, thank y'all. Jorge don't give up on Luis, I'll be 
listening. Thank you for everything. Father I commend my soul, please take care 
and watch everybody I leave behind. I am ready Warden. Father please accept my 
soul. I am sorry, I love y'all, I am always going to be with you. I love y'all, 
I love y'all. I love you Father, I love you Father, I love you Savior.

Lisa Coleman, Sept. 17, 2014. Black female. Restrained and starved a 9 year old 
boy to death. 28 at the time of offense, 38 at the time of execution.

I just want to tell my family I love them; my son, I love him. The girls on the 
row, I love them and keep their heads up. Tell Darlie I love her, hand in hand. 
God bless y'all. I'm all right. Tell them I finished strong. I love y'all. I'm 
done. I love you, Richie. I love you. Thank you, Brad and John, all of y'all. 
God is good. I love you, Auntie. I'm done.

Willie Trottie, Sept. 10, 2014. Black male. Shot to death his ex-girlfriend and 
her brother, who tried to defend his sister with his own firearm. 23 years old 
at the time of the offense, 45 at the time of execution.

Nesha, I love you. I hope this brings you some closure. Titus, if his kids are 
out there, I'm sorry for your dad. Shan, Charlotte, Baisey, I love you. T.T., I 
love you. Stay strong. Michelle, Tammy, Damen, I'm going home. Lawrence, I love 
you. I am going home to be with the Lord. Find it in your hearts to forgive me. 
I'm sorry, stay strong. Jesus, take me home.

Jose Villegas, Apr. 16, 2014. Hispanic male. In a robbery, Villegas stabbed to 
death 3 victims: A 24-year-old woman (stabbed 32 times), her 3-year-old son 
(stabbed 19 times), and her 51-year-old mother (stabbed 35 times). 27 years old 
at the time of offense, 39 at the time of execution.

(Written statement) I always said that if I even get to this point, I would 
have already said everything that needed to be said to all of those who I love 
and have been with me throughout this whole journey. Today, I realized that I 
can never say everything that needed to be said, because there is still so much 
that needs to be said. First of all, I love you. My children, my friends, and 
all my brothers who have shared this experience with me on the row and who 
continue to experience this without me, keep your heads up. I love all of you. 
Secondly, I am ok. I have peace in my heart and ready for the next journey. I'm 
really ok. Last but not least, to my true brother in life, Crazy J, I love you, 
man. You and Bella have been the best. I'm sorry I couldn't talk with you 
before all of this, but you know me...You are my bro. I love you. I'm ok. My 
babies, remember what I said. We'll be together soon. I love all of you. John 
14:27. (Spoken statement) Yes, I left a written statement. I do have a verbal 
statement. I would like to remind my children once again, I love them. Crazy J, 
I forgot to write a list. Everything is ok. I love you all, and I love my 
children. I am at peace. John 14:27. I am done, Warden.

Ramiro Hernandez, Apr. 9, 2014. Hispanic male. While working as a hired hand, 
broke into his employer's house, beat him to death and then tied up the 
victim's wife and raped her repeatedly. 28 at the time of offense, 44 at the 
time of execution.

Yes, sir. First I would like to thank God for letting me see my family. I say 
this with love, I'm sorry. I say this for my family with love and with God, I 
love you. I'm happy, and I would like to say on behalf of my family, I love 
y'all. I am happy. I look into my family's eyes, and I see sadness. Don't be 
sad, I'm happy. I am sorry for what I have done. Be mindful that I am happy 
till the end. To the family of my boss, I love you. Young people, listen to 
your parents; always do what they tell you to do, go to school, learn from your 
mistakes. Be careful before you sign anything with your name. Never, despite 
what other people say. God is with y'all. God is the only witness that knows 
what happened that night. I, Ramiro Hernandez, say this with lots of love to 
young people, listen to your parents please. Live your life to the fullest, you 
only live your life once. To the prison system, I would like to thank y'all. 
Thanks to the officers and to the warden that are going to witness this. I say 
this with a lot of love and happiness. I have no pain and no guilt. All I have 
is love. Love will win. Thank you God, I am going with you.

Tommy Sells, Apr. 3, 2014. White male. Entered a home with intent to sexually 
assault a 13-year-old girl, slashed her throat, fatally, and slashed the throat 
of a 10-year-old girl, who survived. 35 at the time of the offense, 49 at the 
time of execution.

This offender declined to make a last statement.

Anthony Doyle, Mar. 27, 2014. Black male. Tried to rob 37-year-old Asian woman 
who delivered a food order to his home. When she said she had no money, he hit 
her over the head with a baseball bat, killing her, put her body in a dumpster 
and fled in her car. 18 years old at the time of the offense, 29 at the time of 
execution.

This offender declined to make a last statement.

Ray Jasper, Mar. 19, 2014. Black male. Rap artist who slashed the throat of 
33-year-old man who owned a San Antonio recording studio, then stole equipment 
from the studio. 19 years old at the time of the offense, 33 at the time of 
execution.

(Written statement) I just want to make a statement to all my friends, family, 
and supporters. Thank you all for the love. To the Christian hip-hop community, 
all the positive brothers I've done time with. To all the people that took the 
time to write a letter. Thank you. To my family, we are one. To my beautiful 
daughter, the best thing that ever happened to me. I love you endlessly. I am 
you and you are me forever. Lastly to God himself....Thank you being a gracious 
friend to me. I love you with all my heart, mind, strength, in Jesus name. 
(Spoken statement) I want to say to my family, please take care of each other, 
stay strong and faithful to God. I thank everyone for supporting me. Christine, 
I love you. To my daughter: baby, be strong, be positive, have a great life. 
You know what you meant to me, and I love you. Stay faithful to the Lord. 
Daughter, I love you, I love you, I love you. May the Lord God almighty in 
heaven, Jesus Christ see my spirit. Amen.

Suzanne Basso, Feb. 5, 2014. White female. With 5 others, lured a 59-year-old 
retarded man from New Jersey with promises to marry him. After becoming 
beneficiary on his insurance, killed him by beating with belts, baseball bats, 
boots, hands and feet until he was unrecognizable when he was found in a ditch. 
44 years old at the time of the offense, 59 at the time of execution.

This offender declined to make a last statement.

Edgar Tamayo, Jan. 22, 2014. Hispanic male. Arrested for robbing a nightclub 
patron, Tamayo was angry that the arresting officer had not allowed him to 
leave his keys with his wife. In the patrol car on the way to jail, Tamayo 
produced gun the officer had missed and shot the officer 3 times in the back of 
the head. After the car wrecked, he crawled out, still handcuffed, but was 
apprended soon after. 26 years old at the time of the offense, 46 at the time 
of execution.

This offender declined to make a last statement.

Jerry Martin, Dec. 3, 2013. White male. During a prison break while he was 
incarcerated for attempted murder, Martin stole a truck and while driving it 
ran into the horse being ridden by a female correctional officer, killing her. 
37 years old at the time of the offense, 43 at the time of execution.

I would like to tell the Canfield family I'm sorry; sorry for your loss. I wish 
I could take it back, but I can't. I hope this gives you closure. I did not 
murder your loved one, it was an accident. I didn't mean for it to happen. I 
take full responsibility. To my family, we've talked earlier and you know I'm 
at peace. God is the ultimate judge, he knows what happened. We talked earlier. 
I love all of y'all. I'm ready Warden.

Jamie McCoskey, Nov. 12, 2013. White male. Abducted a young couple and took 
them to an abandoned house, then stabbed to death the 20-year-old man and raped 
the man's 19-year-old fiancee. 27 years old at the time of the offense, 49 at 
the time of execution.

The best time in my life is during this period. If I had to do again, I would 
not change a thing. I have been touched by an angel's wings. If I had it to do 
again, I would change Dwyer's parents suffering, because I know they are. I 
know that is not going to eliminate the pain, because I have a child. God, I 
want to say something so bad. I appreciate the people that helped me out. I 
appreciate the people that helped me out, and uh, know that I love you, Angel 
and your family and all the people that helped me out. And if this takes the 
pain away, so be it. I love you. I'm ready to go.

Michael Yowell, Oct. 9, 2013. White male. Caught stealing his father's wallet, 
Yowell shot his father dead, strangled his mother, then set fire to the house, 
which exploded, and his grandmother, caught in the house, died days later of 
her injuries. 28 years old at the time of the offense, 43 at the time of 
execution.

I love you. To Gerald: you're a zero. I love you Mandy, Tiffany. I love you, 
too.

Arturo Diaz, Sept. 26, 2013. Hispanic male. In a robbery for drugs and money, 
Diaz and another murdered one victim by stabbing him 94 times in the chest, and 
stabbed another victim twice in the face. 23 at the time of the offense, 37 at 
the time of execution.

I don't know if you remember back in 2000, you were happy the way it happened. 
You were looking for me yourself and would have taken care of me yourself. I am 
glad it happened this way. I wouldn't want to see you in my shoes. You would 
have probably been here, not me. I wouldn't wish this on you. I hope this can 
bring some relief to you and your family. I have no hate for you. Grandmother, 
Lilia, and Robert; have hope for me. I am with God. Thanks for being with me 
and all of your love. Mom, take care of my daughter. Many kisses, Mom. Robert 
don't forget what I told you, I hope that this serves as an example for the 
youngsters. Think about it before you make a bad decision. Let's go, Warden. 
I'm ready.

Robert Garza, Sept. 19, 2013. Hispanic male. A leader of the Tri-City Bomber 
gang, ordered other gang members to fire into a car, killing 4 females, one of 
whom the gang suspected of being a witness to their activities. 20 years old at 
the time of the offense, 31 at the time of execution.

I want to thank all of my family and friends for supporting me. I love you and 
I'm glad that ya'll are by my side through this whole thing. I know it's hard 
for ya'll. I love you Jennifer, mom, Jaime, Cory, David. Thank God for you 
being there for me. It's not easy, this is a release. Ya'll finally get to move 
on with your lives. Take care of my kids and stay strong, life has to go on. 
We've all lost grandpas, brothers, and sisters. Support and love each other. 
Don't fight with each other. I love you.

Douglas Feldman, July 31, 2013. White male. Angry that a truck driver had cut 
him off, Feldman pulled up alongside on his motorcycle, and fired with a 
handgun into the truck cab, killing the driver. 45 minutes later, opened fire 
on another truck driver putting fuel into his vehicle, killing him. Also shot 
up a car dealership and wounded another man in a restaurant parking lot. 40 
years old at the time of the offense, 55 at the time of execution.

I hereby declare, Robert Steven Everett and Nicholas Velasquez, guilty of 
crimes against me, Douglas Alan Feldman. Either by fact or by proxy, I find 
them both guilty. I hereby sentence both of them to death, which I carried out 
in August 1998. As of that time, the State of Texas has been holding me 
illegally in confinement and by force for 15 years. I hereby protest my pending 
execution and demand immediate relief.

Vaughn Ross, July 18, 2013. Black male. Ross, a Texas Tech architecture 
graduate student, shot and killed an 18-year-old woman he had been feuding wth 
and the 53-year-old man who happened to be with her. 29 years old at the time 
of the offense, 41 at the time of execution.

Yes, I want to thank my family for supporting me through this. I love ya'll. I 
don't fear death. I'm fine, I'm OK. To my friends and my loved ones, Miriam, I 
love you, thanks for being here for me. This is what it is. I know this is hard 
for ya'll, but we are going to have to go through it. We know the lies they 
told in court. We know it's not true. I want you to be strong and keep going.

John Quintanilla, July 16, 2013. Hispanic male. With 2 accomplices, was robbing 
an amusement center when Quintanilla shot and killed a 60-year-old retired 
sheriff's deputy who attempted to seize his firearm. 25 years old at the time 
of the offense, 36 at the time of execution.

Yes, I would like to tell my wife that I love her and thank her for all the 
years of happiness. That will be all, Warden.

Kimberly McCarthy, June 26, 2013. Black female. Entered the house of a 
70-year-old neighbor intending to rob her, then stabbed and killed the victim 
when a struggle ensued. 36 at the time of the offense, 52 at the time of 
execution.

I just wanted to say thanks to all who have supported me over the years: 
Reverend Campbell, for my spiritual guidance; Aaron, the father of Darrian, my 
son; and Maurie, my attorney. Thank you everybody. This is not a loss, this is 
a win. You know where I am going. I am going home to be with Jesus. Keep the 
faith. I love ya'll. Thank you, Chaplain.

Elroy Chester, June 12, 2013. Black male. Broke into a home and raped 2 girls, 
ages 16 and 14, then shot and killed the girls' uncle when he arrived at the 
house. After his capture, Chester confessed to 2 additional murders. 28 years 
old at the time of the offense, 43 at the time of execution.

I just want to say I don't want you to have hate in your heart for me, because 
I took your loved one. I know it doesn't mean anything; I told the truth 
because I feel like you should know who killed your loved one. God watches 
everything. Don't hate me, if you do, you'll have to deal with Him later. For 
me, live your life but don't hate me. I'm sorry for taking your loved one. Ms. 
Suzy, Susan, thank you for fighting for me in the courts. Thank you for 
supporting me for all these years. Elroy Chester wasn't a bad man, I knew me. A 
lot of people say I didn't commit those murders, I really did it. That's my 
statement. Warden, you can go ahead.

Jeffrey Williams, May 15, 2013. Black male. Stopped while driving a stolen car, 
Williams shot and killed the police officer who had pulled him over, then fled. 
23 years old at the time of the offense, 37 at the time of execution.

You clown police. You gonna stop with all that killing all these kids. You're 
gonna stop killing innocent kids, murdering young kids. When I kill one or pop 
one, ya'll want to kill me. God has a plan for everything. You hear? I love 
everyone that loves me. I ain't got no love for anyone that don't love me.

Carroll Parr, May 7, 2013. Black male. With an accomplice held up 2 men outside 
a grocery store, then after taking their wallets shot and killed 1 of the men 
when he said he didn't have any more money. 25 years old at the time of the 
offense, 35 at the time of execution.

First of all; Shonna talk to your brother. He'll tell you the truth about what 
happened to your husband. I told Bubba to tell you what happened. Now, my 
statement to the world: I am in the midst of truth. I am good, I am straight, 
don't trip. To all my partners, tell them I said like Arnold Schwarzenegger, 
"I'll be back." These eyes will close, but they will be opened again, my 
understanding of God is, Jesus has got me through. To my family, I love ya'll.

Richard Cobb, Apr. 26, 2013. White male. With an accomplice, abducted a man and 
2 women, shot and killed the man, sexually assualted and then shot and 
abandoned the women, who survived. 18 years old at the time of the offense, 29 
at the time of execution.

Life is death, death is life. I hope that someday this absurdity that humanity 
has come to will come to and an end. Life is too short. I hope that anyone that 
has negative energy towards me will resolve that. Life is too short to harbor 
feelings of hatred and anger. That's it.

Ronnie Threadgill, Apr. 16, 2013. Black male. Shot and killed a 17-year-old 
black male during a carjacking. 28 years old at the time of the offense, 40 at 
the time of execution.

To my loved ones and dear friends, I love ya'll and appreciate ya'll for being 
there. I am going to a better place. To all the guys back on the row, keep your 
heads up, keep up the fight. I am ready. Let's go.

Ricky Lewis, Apr. 9, 2013. Black male. Entered a home and shot and killed a 
45-year-old man, then raped the man's fiancee before stealing her vehicle to 
flee. 28 years old at the time of the offense, 50 at the time of execution.

Ms. Connie Hilton, I'm sorry for what happened to you. If I hadn't raped you, 
then you wouldn't have lived. If you look at the transcripts, I didn't kill Mr. 
Newman and I didn't rob your house. There are 2 people still alive. I was just 
there. When I saw you in the truck driving away, I could have killed you but I 
didn't. I'm not a killer. My momma was abused. I'm sorry for what you've gone 
through. It wasn't me that harmed and stole all of your stuff. If you look at 
the transcripts you will see. I ask the good Lord to forgive me. I love ya'll; 
Sheena, my sister, momma, and daddy. Ya'll pray for me, keep up the fight. Get 
the transcripts, let the truth come out so that I do not die in vain. I thank 
the Lord for the man I am today. I have done all I can to better myself, to 
learn to read and write. Take me to my King. I love ya'll and thank you for the 
love you gave me. I respect all of ya'll. Ms. Hilton. Ok. Let me rest. It's 
burning.

Carl Blue, Feb. 21, 2013. Black male. Doused an ex-girlfriend in gasoline when 
she opened her door and then lit her clothes on fire. Also doused a 2nd person 
who tried to help the 1st victim. The 1st victim died of her wounds. 29 years 
old at the time of the offense, 48 at the time of execution.

Hey mom and pop. I love ya'll, all of you people in there. You know, ya'll have 
to come together, you too Terrella. Ya'll work on that. We all have to stand 
before God at the end of the day. Don't ever think you're perfect, none of us 
are perfect. God is the only one that is perfect. Jesus is perfect. I did 
wrong, now I am paying the ultimate price, even though it's a crooked way. I 
don't hate ya'll. Don't judge, I'm not judging. God has to judge those people. 
I forgive. Always remember, Romans 12:19 is for real, hell is for real. If 
ya'll don't have your life right, get it right. We all have to die to get to 
heaven. Get your life right with Christ; it's coming to an end. I'm talking to 
each and every soul in this building, in this room. I don't hate nobody, you're 
doing what you think is your job. God's law is above this law. Hang on. Cowboy 
up, I'm fixing to ride. Jesus is my ride. Tell my babies daddy will look down 
on them. Put a "C" in his name for Carl. Tell my boys and tell Tracy to keep on 
keeping on. Love one another, go to church, change your life for Christ, live 
your life for Christ. All right, Warden. Terella, I feel it babe, love.

Preston Hughes, Nov. 15, 2012. Black male. Raped and stabbed to death a 
15-year-old girl and stabbed to death her 3-year-old male cousin. 22 years old 
at the time of the offense, 46 at the time of execution.

Yes, Warden. Mom, Celeste: Please know I'm innocent and I love you both. Please 
continue to fight for my innocence even though I'm gone. John, Cort, Allen, 
Barbara, Louis, and Anna: Thank you for helping me and trying to save my life. 
I love you. Give everybody my love. Jason, thank you for your friendship. Thank 
Laura, too. I love all of you. Bye. Ok, Warden.

Ramon Hernandez, Nov. 14, 2012. Hispanic male. With 2 others, abducted, 
sexually assaulted, and killed a 37-year-old woman, then buried her in a wooded 
area in a shallow grave. 29 years old at the time of the offense, 41 at the 
time of execution.

Can you hear me? Did I ever tell you, you have dad's eyes? I've noticed that in 
the last couple of days. I'm sorry for putting you through all this. Tell 
everyone I love them. It was good seeing the kids. I love them all; tell mom, 
everybody. I am very sorry for all of the pain. Tell Brenda I love her. To 
everybody back on the row, I know you're going through a lot over there. Keep 
fighting, don't give up everybody.

Mario Swain, Nov. 8, 2012. Black male. Swain was burglarizing a home when its 
owner, a 44-year-old woman, came home. Swain killed her with a blow to the head 
with a tire iron, then hid her body in the trunk of an abandoned car as he 
returned to steal items from the home. 23 years old at the time of the offense, 
33 at the time of execution.

This offender declined to make a last statement.

Donnie Roberts, Jr., Oct. 31, 2012. White male. When his live-in girlfriend 
refused to give him money, he shot her three times in the head, then fled in 
her son's vehicle. 32 years old at the time of the offense, 41 at the time of 
execution.

To all of ya'll over here: Mr. Bivins, Allen, Joey, all of ya'll back there, I 
am truly sorry. I never meant to cause ya'll so much pain. Not one day has 
passed that I wish I could take it back. After today, I hope you can go on. I 
hope this brings you closure. God knows I didn't want to do what I did. I loved 
your daughter. I hope to God, He lets me see her in Heaven so I can apologize 
to her. I'm sorry. I'm glad ya'll came. Joey, I am really sorry, Joe. Marjo, 
you have been there for me for 6 1/2 years. I appreciate that. Take good care 
of her. I love both of ya'll. I want to say goodbye to all of ya'll. Goodbye. 
Please tell my daughter I love her. I'll see ya'll. I'm sorry, Joey, I'm sorry.

Bobby Hines, Oct. 24, 2012. White male. Staying at the maintenance man's unit 
at an apartment complex, used a master key to get into the apartment of the 
victim, a 26-year-old woman, who he robbed, stabbed with an ice pick, and 
strangled with a cord. He took a bowl of pennies, some cigarettes, and a gold 
charm. 19 years old at the time of the offense, 40 at the time of execution.

To the victim's family, I am sure I know that I took somebody special from 
ya'll. I know it wasn't right, it was wrong. I wish I could give it back, but I 
know I can't. If giving my life in return makes it right, so be it. I ask that 
ya'll forgive me. I know God forgave me. I know He has forgiven me for what I 
did. I don't believe that taking my life will solve anything. I believe that if 
I was locked up for the rest of my life, that would be more of a punishment. To 
do this is setting me free. God bless ya'll. I wish there was something I could 
do. Bernard, thank you. Bill, thanks for being there for me and showing me to 
the Lord. I give glory to God, I believe I am going home. I love my family. I 
love everybody. I have love in my heart for ya'll and for my family, we're all 
victims behind what I did. I wish there was some other way to show I'm sorry. I 
have a prayer that me and my wife have come up with that I'd like to say. God, 
hear our prayer. We want to give thanks for this day. I can't do that prayer, 
that prayer is not right for ya'lls family or my family. Please forgive me. I 
love ya'll. OK Warden, I am ready. I'm going home. I love ya'll. I'm feeling 
it.

Jonathan Green, Oct. 10, 2012. Black male. Kidnapped a 12-year-old girl, raped 
and strangled her and then buried in her in his backyard. Later, when police 
grew suspicious of him, he dug her up and stuffed her body in a sack behind a 
chair in his house. 32 years old at the time of the offense, 44 at the time of 
execution.

I'm an innocent man. I did not kill anyone. Ya'll are killing an innocent man. 
My left arm is killing me. It hurts bad.

Cleve Foster, Sept. 25, 2012. White male. With a co-defendant, had sex with a 
woman they met in a bar, then shot and killed her. 38 years old at the time of 
the offense, 48 at the time of the execution.

Yes, you know I sat in my cell many days wondering what my last words would be: 
love for my family, grandson, friends. I love you very much. Tonight when I 
close my eyes, I'll be with my Father. Some time ago I got a letter, I read it, 
and stuck it in with a bunch of stuff; and I thought to myself, what a 
cold-hearted person. I was asked about the letter, I spent half the night 
looking for the letter. A little part of the letter touched me. Over the years 
I have learned to love. God is everything. God is my life. Tonight, I will be 
with Him. I am a parent myself. I have so much for this dear lady. I understand 
where they're coming from, I thought every person was cruel. I love you so, 
Susan. You know what it is girl, love ya. Maurie, appreciate it girl. Much love 
to you all. Mrs. Cox, love you. Momma, you are my hero. I wish this world was 
just like you. Another mother got hurt, as a parent I understand the pain. That 
letter she wrote wasn't wrong, she was just hurting. She showed God's love for 
letting me know that love will be there to welcome me home. I love you all. I 
don't know what you are going to feel after tonight. I love you. I pray one day 
we will all meet in heaven. A man told me 11 years ago the hardest thing to say 
is, "I forgive you." Hope one day we all be together again. I love you all: 
Susan, Mrs. Cox, momma, Maurie, Michael. Grandbabies make the world go around. 
I love you all. Warden, I am looking to leave this place on wings of a homesick 
angel. Ready to go home to meet my maker. What a friend we have in Jesus, oh my 
God, I lay in awe 'cause I love you God. I love you momma. I love you Susan.

Robert Harris, Sept. 20, 2012. Black male. 3 days after he had been fired for 
exposing himself to 2 women, Harris returned to the car wash that employed him 
and opened fire, killing 5 people. 28 years old at the time of the offense, 40 
at the time of execution.

I want to tell ya'll, know that I love you. Billy, I love you, English, Hart 
and Eloise. Dwight, take care of Dwight. I'm going home, I'm going home. I'll 
be alright, don't worry. I love ya'll. God bless and the Texas Rangers, Texas 
Rangers.

Marvin Wilson, Aug 7, 2012. Black male. Shot and killed a 21-year-old man he 
believed had snitched on him, telling police he was a drug dealer. A 
psychological assessment pegged Wilson???s IQ at only 61, and his defense 
lawyers failed to win appeals that Wilson was too mentally diminished to be 
executed. 34 years old at the time of the offense, 54 at the time of execution.

Bohannon, Peg and Kim, I love ya'll. Son, get your life right with Christ, also 
your mother. Give mom a hug for me and tell her that I love her. Ya'll do 
understand that I came here a sinner and leaving a saint. Take me home Jesus, 
take me home Lord, take me home Lord. I ain't left yet, must be a miracle. I am 
a miracle. I see you, Rich. Don't cry son, don't cry baby. I love ya'll. I'm 
ready.

Yokamon Hearn, July 18, 2012. Black male. With 3 others, carjacked a 
26-year-old white stock broker, then shot him ten times in the head, killing 
him. Defense attorneys argued that Hearn was brain damaged from fetal alcohol 
syndrome and should not be subjected to execution. 19 years old a the time of 
the offense, 33 at the time of execution.

Yes, I would like to tell my family that I love ya'll and I wish ya'll well. 
I'm ready.

Beunka Adams, Apr. 26, 2012. Black male. With an accomplice, abducted a man and 
2 women, shot and killed the man, sexually assualted and then shot and 
abandoned the women, who survived. 19 years old at the time of the offense, 29 
at the time of execution.

First, I want to let my mom know not to cry, there is no reason to cry, 
everybody dies. Everybody has their time, don't worry about me. I'm strong. To 
my family: my old man, my kids, daddy is sorry. I love each and every one of 
you. I'll be looking for you. To my wife, I love you. The last 2 years have 
been the best. All my kids, mom, nieces, and nephews, I am proud of all of 
ya'll. I love each and every one of ya'll. I really love ya'll. To the victims, 
I'm very sorry for everything that happened. I am not the malicious person that 
you think I am. I was real stupid back then. I made a great many mistakes. What 
happened was wrong. I was a kid in a grown man's world. I messed up, and I 
can't take it back. I wasn't old enough to understand. Please don't carry 
around that hurt in your heart. You have got to find a way to get rid of the 
hate. Trust me, killing me is not going to give you closure. I hope you find 
closure. Don't let that hate eat you up, find a way to get past it. Linda, I 
love you, I appreciate you. I hate the way things turned out. Ms. Sheri, thank 
you. To the victims again, I hate the way all of this happened to ya'll. I 
don't think any good will come of this. I am going to see ya'll again. I love 
ya'll, be strong for me. Keep your heads up. I came into the world strong. I'll 
leave the world strong. Warden, go ahead. I am sorry for the victim's family. 
Murder isn't right, killing of any kind isn't right. Got to find another way.

Jesse Hernandez, Mar. 28, 2012. Hispanic male. Struck with a flashlight and 
killed a crying 11-month-old boy Hernandez was left to care for, and also 
injured the boy???s older sister. 36 years old at the time of the offense, 47 
at the time of execution.

Tell my son I love him very much. God bless everybody. Continue to walk with 
God. Go Cowboys! Love ya'll man. Don't forget the T-ball. Ms. Mary, thank you 
for everything that you've done. You too, Brad, thank you. I can feel it, taste 
it, not bad.

Keith Thurmond, Mar. 7, 2012. White male. After his son was taken away in a 
custody dispute, Thurmond shot and killed his estranged wife and her boyfriend 
at their home. 41 years old at the time of the offense, 52 at the time of 
execution.

All I want to say is I'm innocent, I didn't kill my wife. Jack Leary shot my 
wife then her dope dealer Guy Fernandez. Don't hold it against me, Bill. I 
swear to God I didn't kill her. Go ahead and finish it off. You can taste it.

George Rivas, Feb. 29, 2012. Hispanic male. In prison serving life for 
kidnapping and robbery, Rivas escaped with several others, then later held up a 
sporting goods store and shot dead a responding police officer. 30 years old at 
the time of the offense, 41 at the time of execution.

Yes, I do. First of all for the Aubrey Hawkins family, I do apologize for 
everything that happened. Not because I am here, but for closure in your 
hearts. I really believe that you deserve that. To my wife, Cheri, I am so 
grateful you're in my life. I love you so dearly. Thank you to my sister and 
dear friend Katherine Cox, my son and family, friends and family. I love you so 
dearly. To my friends, all the guys on the row, you have my courtesy and 
respect. Thank you to the people involved and to the courtesy of the officers. 
I am grateful for everything in my life. To my wife, take care of yourself. I 
will be waiting for you. I love you. God Bless. I am ready to go.

Rodrigo Hernandez, Jan. 26, 2012. Hispanic male. Abducted a 38-year-old white 
woman from a grocery store parking lot, and sexually assaulted her with his 
hands around her neck, which killed her. 20 years old at the time of the 
offense, 38 at the time of execution.

Yes, I want to tell everybody that I love everybody. Keep your heads up. We are 
all family, people of God Almighty.

(source: Tony Ortega, The Raw Story)






LOUISIANA:

Judge overturns death sentence of one of the 'Angola 5'----Judge overturns 1 
inmate's sentence after new statement discovered


A judge this week overturned the death sentence of an Algiers man who was one 
of the "Angola 5," a group of Angola State Penitentiary lifers who were 
convicted of killing a prison guard, Capt. David Knapps, during a failed 1999 
escape attempt.

Retired Orleans Parish Criminal District Court Judge Jerome Winsberg, who is 
handling the case, ruled Thursday that prosecutors withheld a confession by 
another of the accused killers until after David Brown went on trial, according 
to Brown's attorneys. He ordered a new sentencing hearing, they said.

A state prison inmate had given a statement saying Barry S. Edge told him that 
only he and a 3rd man, Jeffrey Cameron Clark, committed Knapps' murder. The 
statement emerged only when prosecutors turned it over before Edge's trial last 
year.

Edge, the last of the 5 to stand trial, was convicted of 1st-degree murder, but 
a jury fell 3 votes shy of a unanimous verdict on the death penalty, leaving 
Edge to serve a new life sentence.

Brown's attorneys argued that the failure to turn over the statement violated 
Brady v. Maryland, a 50-year-old U.S. Supreme Court ruling that requires the 
state to turn over evidence favorable to a defendant.

The Jefferson Parish District Attorney's Office, which was handling the case, 
argued that the statement was not "material," meaning it wasn't likely to have 
changed the verdict.

Winsberg overturned Brown's death sentence but not his conviction for killing 
Knapps, according to his attorneys. Brown was already serving a life sentence 
for 2nd-degree murder in a 1992 killing in Marrero.

Steve Wimberly, first assistant district attorney for Jefferson DA Paul 
Connick's office, could not be reached for comment. The office is expected to 
appeal Winsberg's ruling.

Knapps, 49, was killed during an escape from the Educational Building of the 
prison's camp. A 6th inmate was shot and killed in the escape attempt.

The inmates had taken 2 other officers hostage, but they were rescued by a 
security team.

Juries convicted 4 of the 5 inmates who were prosecuted for the killing, 
sending 2 of them, Brown and Clark, to death row. Edge and Robert Carley 
received life sentences after they were found guilty. David Mathis pleaded 
guilty to 1st-degree murder and received a life sentence.

Prosecutors from Jefferson and Caddo parishes tried Brown in 2011, playing a 
recording to the jury of Brown telling investigators he dragged Knapps into an 
employee restroom and held him there while a co-defendant hit him with a 
mallet.

State DNA tests found that Knapps' blood was on Brown's hands, shoelace and 
clothes, according to testimony in the trial.

Prosecutors argued later, at Edge's trial, that it was Edge who pummeled Knapps 
with a hammer to the head.

In June 2011, before Brown went on trial, prosecutors Hugo Holland and Tommy 
Block, along with investigators for the Jefferson DA's Office, interviewed a 
state inmate named David Domingue, according to court records.

Domingue told them that Edge explained that "we could have let (Knapps) live," 
but that he and Clark decided on their own to kill the guard.

"He said him and Jeffrey did, were the only ones that were thinking rationally 
during this highly charged situation. And they made a decision to help their 
self to kill (Knapps). But they could have let him live."

Domingue later repeated the statement in a hearing in September, as Brown's 
attorneys sought a new trial.

Brown's lawyers argued that the state's position - that Domingue's statement 
was not "material" to Brown's case - was "similarly myopic" to one that Orleans 
Parish District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro's office attempted before the U.S. 
Supreme Court in the case of Juan Smith, who had been convicted in a 1995 
quintuple murder.

Some of the high court justices openly chided Cannizzaro's office for even 
trying to defend a failure by prosecutors to turn over earlier statements from 
the lone eyewitness, who had said he couldn't identify the shooter. The Supreme 
Court overturned Smith's conviction on an 8-1 vote.

"There is nothing worse a lawyer can do than hide favorable evidence from a 
defendant facing the death penalty," one of Brown's attorneys, Billy Sothern, 
said Friday.

"We hope that the judge's ruling affirming that principle by throwing out David 
Brown's death sentence will allow for the resolution of this case after 15 
years of litigation, expense and uncertainty."

Sothern was referring to the high cost of trying the Angola 5 and defending 
their convictions. All told, the state Department of Public Safety and 
Corrections has spent about $10 million for prosecution and defense costs, 
expert witnesses, paralegals, court reporters and jury costs.

The hefty price tag has been a source of handwringing by some state 
legislators, who brought it up earlier this year during budget talks.

Clark's appeal of his death sentence, meanwhile, remains pending.

(source: The Advocate)






KANSAS:

Davis trial is a waiting game


A murder trial has turned into a waiting game, with 1 man's life on the line. 
After 3 days of jury deliberations, the jurors came back with a guilty verdict.

As the victim's family waits, the defense team is working. Working to save 
Billy Frank Davis Jr. from the death penalty.

On Thursday, Davis was convicted of capital murder, as well as the kidnapping 
and rape of 8-year-old Ah'liyah Irvin. The little girl's body was found in a 
dryer in an apartment basement.

On Friday afternoon the defense team attempted to prove that Davis' actions in 
2012 were the result of disturbed childhood, filled with violence and drugs. A 
child psychologist, who met with Davis over the last 2 years, testified that 
due to his childhood, he was prone to mental illness. She stated that his 
continued exposure to violence created emotional developmental lags, similar to 
a child's.

Davis, a veteran, was diagnosed at a VA hospital for mental illness, and 
according to testimony, admitted to having homicidal thoughts in 2009. Davis' 
attorney stated he suffers PTSD and bipolar disorder.

Davis' background gives little closure to the victim's family, who says they're 
still looking for justice almost 3 years later.

On Monday, the jury will hear more testimony before deciding if Davis will face 
life in prison or the death penalty.

(source: Kansas News First)