Monday, October 31, 2011

Danny Ray Harris #649; July 30, 1993



I would like to tell my family I love them very dearly, and I know they love me. I love all of the people who supported me all of these years. I would like to tell the Merka family I love them, too. I plead with all the teenagers to stop the violence and to accept Jesus Christ and find victory. Today I have victory in Christ and I thank Jesus for taking my spirit into His precious hands. Thank you, Jesus.


Please also see the Lost Words page for his brother, executed for the same crime

For additional information, please see Harris's page on the CNPC Forum




Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Markum Duff-Smith #694; June 29, 1993



I am the low, low sinner of all sinners. I was responsible for the ’75 and ’79 cases. My trial was not just; it was not fair; they lied against me. I love all of those on Death Row, and I will always hold them in my hands. Those who stood by me, I will always love you. Jim and Judy Peterson and Chaplain Lopez, I thank you for staying by my side.


For additional information about the intricate murder-for-hire plot that landed him on death row, please see Duff-Smith's page on the Crime and Capital Punishment Forum




Monday, October 24, 2011

Leonel Torres Herrera #702; May 12, 1993



I am innocent, innocent, innocent. Make no mistake about this; I owe society nothing. Continue the struggle for human rights, helping those who are innocent, especially Mr. Graham. I am an innocent man, and something very wrong is taking place tonight. May God bless you all. I am ready.



Additional Information from the Crime and Capital Punishment Forum. When Herrera took his case to the Supreme Court, hoping to show that new evidence could prove his "actual innocence", the court refused to acknowledge that actual innocence is grounds for habeas relief. Justice Blackmun, in his dissent, wrote "The execution of a person who can show that he is innocent comes perilously close to simple murder." See the full decision here.




Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Darryl Stewart #664; May 4, 1993



Stewart stared at the ceiling, closed his eyes and said nothing.




For additional information about Stewart's crime and execution, please visit the CNCP site

Friday, October 14, 2011

Carlos Santana #695; March 23, 1993



"Love is the answer, not hatred," "I love you guys. I will see some of you in the state of heaven. Bye."



Additional Information available here


Thursday, October 13, 2011

Kavin Wayne Lincecum #832; December 10, 1992



Lincecum declined to make a final statement


Information about his crime and execution can be found here


Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Jeffery Griffin #647; November 19, 1992


"I'll see you one day when you get where I'm going," Griffin told prison Chaplain Carroll Pickett as witnesses filed into the execution chamber. He then turned to the visitors and announced, "There's a smiling face."

He thanked Assistant Warden Richard Belanger for attending the proceedings, wished him luck and then told him, "You was a good warden."

Griffin bid his mother, aunt and fiancee in England farewell and told them he loved them.

"I'm going to be free," he said. Then he looked at prison officials, nodded once and said, "I'm ready."



This information and more available in this Houston Chronicle article



Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Friday, October 7, 2011

Curtis Johnson #761; August 11, 2011


"I want to thank my mom and aunt for sticking by me, and to tell them I love them very much," Johnson said in his final words. "Everyone who participated in this is forgiven."


For information about the crime and execution, see this Houston Chronicle article


Thursday, October 6, 2011

Robert Black #819;May 22, 1992



High Flight (aviation poem)

High Flight

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds, — and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of — wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there,
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air. . . .

Up, up the long, delirious burning blue
I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or ever eagle flew —
And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.

— John Gillespie Magee, Jr



No official offender information available, but info about his murder-for-hire plot and execution is available in this Houston Chronicle article




Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Jesus Romero, Jr. #801; May 20, 1992



When his attorney came into the witness room, he said, "Tell Mom I love her." The attorney said back to him, "I love you, too."

"Jesse, I'm here. Can you hear me?" lawyer Elizabeth Cohen told her client. "I love you."





Additional information available here



Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Justin Lee May #783; May 7, 1992



"Take care, I love you both," May told his sister, Sandra Martinez, and his wife, Sandra Manning, in his final statement. "I just want to tell you I love you very much, and I appreciate all your support."



Additional information available in this Houston Chronicle article