Gary Sterling #931; August 10, 2005

I would like the Chaplain to say a prayer, not only for me but for the victim's family. For them being misled, I am sorry. That is all I have to say.... I'll put in a good word for everybody


Offender information

For additional information, and additional comments from his last moments, please see this Associated Press article

David Martinez #999288; July 28, 2005

Only the sky and the green grass goes on forever and today is a good day to die.


Offender information

For additional information, please see this Associated Press article

Alexander Martinez #999438; June 7, 2005

Yes. The victim's family is not here so I won't address them. I want to thank my family and friends for everything. My wife, Ailsa, my sister-in-law, Laura - thank you for being here for me. I love you. And thanks for the friends at the Polunsky Unit that helped me get through this that didn't agree with my decision - and still gave me their friendship. I thank them. Warden...


Offender information

For additional information, please see these articles from the Houston Chronicle and the Associated Press 

Richard Cartwright #999224; May 19, 2005

Yes, I do. I just want to thank all my friends and family who gave me support these past eight years. I want to apologize to the victim's family for the pain I caused them. And to everyone at the Polunsky Unit, just keep your heads up and stay strong.


Offender information

For additional information, please see this Corpus Christie Caller-Times story

Bryan Wolfe #999079; May 18, 2005

Yes sir. To Edie, Tom, and and Carma - I love all you all. I appreciate all your support. I love you Margherita, Father Guido, and Father Angelo. I appreciate your spiritual support and all those that were in prayer for me. I will be O.K. I am at peace with all of this and I won't have to wake up in prison any more. I love you all. I totally surrender to the Lord. I am ready, Warden.


Offender information

For additional information, please see this Associated Press article

Lonnie Pursley #999294; May 3, 2005

Yes. I would like to address the victim's family. I received your poem and I am very grateful for your forgiveness. I still want to ask for it anyway. I have Jesus in my heart and I am sorry for any pain I caused you all. Thank you for your forgiveness. I am sorry. Ashlee, Pam -- I am going to miss you all. I love you all. Give everybody my love. Give everybody my love, O.K.? Mother, James, Justin, Corey, Brent, grand-babies and Daddy - I love you Pam. I love you Ashlee, Pammy and Irene. I will see you all on the other side. Couple friends on death row who have helped me; Shy Town and Crazy Jay...I love you all and for all your support. Uncle Ray too. I am saved and I am going home, O.K.? You all stay strong. You all stay strong. That is all.


Offender information

For additional information, please see this Associated Press article

Michael Graczyk

I would just like to take this opportunity to point readers in the direction of a piece published last week by Associated Press writer Michael Graczyk, Recollections from Hundreds of Executions in Texas, following Texas's 500th modern-era execution.

For those that don't know, Mr. Graczyk has witnessed an inordinate number of executions as an AP reporter. He also inspired this blog. During an interview in 2009, Graczyk pointed out the existence of the TDCJ archive of last statements, which I immediately lost myself in. His stories over the years have also been vital in providing additional contextual information posted to Lost Words.

Please, as soon as you're able, read his chronicle of 30 years as a death row witness.