Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Paul Rougeau #603; May 3, 1994



Rougeau had three sisters and a niece in the death chamber to watch him die. He greeted them and said he loved them, adding, "Peace be with you all."

Rougeau then told the warden he would have no final statement.





For additional information, please see this Houston Chronicle article



Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Richard Beavers #916; April 4, 1994



Jesus Christ, the way of truth and light. I thank you Lord Jesus for giving me the courage, for giving one the way




For more information, please see these articles from the NY Times and the Houston Chronicle. Beavers told a judge during his appeals process "I just don't want lawyers going in there lying on my behalf.."


Thursday, November 17, 2011

Guadalupe Esparza, #999385; November 16, 2011


To the family of Alyssa Vazquez, I hope you will find peace in your heart. My sympathy goes out to you. I hope you find it in your heart to forgive me. I don't know why all of this happened.

I would like to say to my friends, Jung and Arthur, thank you for being there for me through all of these years. Say goodbye to my family. Pray for me, for my soul, rest in peace.

I don't know why all of this happened. I don't know. Jesus, take me home, take me away from this place. Goodbye my friends. Jung and Arthur, tell my family I love them. I love everybody. Tell Emmanuel and Joseph I love them.


Offender Information


Additional information about his crime and execution can be found here



Harold Barnard #683; February 2, 1994



God, please forgive me of my sins. Look after my people. Bless and protect all people. I am sorry for my sins. Lord, take me home with you. Amen. (A couple of sentences garbled.)



Additional information here



Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Clifford Phillips #723; December 15, 1993


I want to express my feelings regarding the mishap of the deceased Mrs. Iris Siff. That was a very unfortunate incident and only God knows why it was an unintentional situation that took place. I want to express my remorse to the family and the discomfort and pain I caused in their lives. Only God will determine if I am truly guilty or innocent of being the type of person I have been drawn up to be by the press and media. I have given my wife the power and energy to be a disciple of Islam. I rescued her from a wretched life in Ireland. I thank Allah for sending her to me. Certainly murder cannot be an instrument of Allah. My wife is very devoted.



For additional information about his crime, the killing of the managing director of Houston's esteemed Alley Theatre, please see this Houston Chronicle story


Monday, November 14, 2011

Anthony Cook #918; November 10, 1993

I just want to tell my family I love them, and I thank the Lord Jesus for giving me another chance and for saving me.



Additional information can be found in this Houston Chronicle article




Thursday, November 10, 2011

Antonio Bonham #700; September 28, 1993


Bonham declined to make a final statement




For more information about his crime and the legal battles leading to his execution, please see these Houston Chronicle articles, from 1986 and 1993






Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Richard J. Wilkerson #756; August 31, 1993

"I'd just like to say that I don't hate nobody. What I did was wrong. I just hope everybody is satisfied with what's about to happen."

His sister, Michele Winn, also submitted the following statement on his behalf

This execution is not justice. This execution is an act of revenge! If this is justice, then justice is blind. Take a borderline retarded young male who for the 1st time ever in his life committed a felony then contaminate his TRUE tell all confession add a judge who discriminates plus an ALL-WHITE JURY pile on an ineffective assistance of counsel and execute the option of rehabilitation persecute the witnesses and you have created a death sentence for a family lasting over 10 years.

I will say once again…..This execution isn’t justice – but an act of revenge. Killing R.J. will not bring Anil back, it only justifies "an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth." It’s too late to help R.J., but maybe this poem will help someone else out there.

"Seeing Through the Eyes of a Death Row Inmate"

Sometime I wonder why, why he? Why did he go out into the world to see? To be out there and see what really did exist, now his name is written down on the Death Row list. I can only imagine how lonesome he was all by himself. We both knew he had no future left! His hopes and dreams became a fantasy. He often said, "There’s nothing left of me." I have asked myself, why did he get involved with drugs? He could never explain why he hung around with thugs? Did it really make him feel like a king – Did he actually think he was capable of getting away with anything? He knew the thought of life wasn’t ticking in his head. There’s nothing left but the memory of those who lay dead. What was did, cannot be undone. He was confessed, he was one of the guilty ones. What would he say to the victim’s family? – I’m sorry and my head wasn’t on straight. I hope you will accept my apology, even though it’s too late. I never knew I would take a life and commit a crime. I regret it because now I have to face the lethal injection while doing death row time. I knew I would pay with struggle and strife, but I never thought the cost would be me losing my life.


Offender Information


For additional information on the crime that earned Wilkerson the nickname "The Grand Prix Killer", please see this Houston Chronicle article



Monday, November 7, 2011

Ruben Cantu #804; August 24, 1993


No, sir.




In 2005, twelve years after his execution, the Houston Chronicle published a lengthy investigation into Cantu's claims of innocence, and came to the conclusion that the state of Texas likely put to death an innocent man. That article can be found here.


Thursday, November 3, 2011

Frank Garcia, #999418; October 27, 2011



Thank you, Jesus Christ. Thank you for your blessing. You are above the president. And know it is you, Jesus Christ, that is performing this miracle in my life. Hallelujah, Holy, Holy, Holy. For this reason I was born and raised. Thank you for this, my God is a God of Salvation. Only through you, Jesus Christ, people will see that you're still on the throne. Hallelujah, Holy, Holy, Holy. I invoke Your name. Thank you, Yahweh, thank you Jesus Christ. Hallelujah, Amen. Thank you, Warden.



Additional information available here


Carl Kelly #688; August 20, 1993



I’m an African warrior, born to breathe, and born to die....... I feel the poison running now



Additional information available here




Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Joseph Jernigan #699; August 5, 1993



He did not respond when asked if he wanted to give a final statement except for a nod to his brother Bobby.



For additional information, see this Houston Chronicle article