Billy C. Gardner #751; February 16, 1995

I forgive all of you – hope God forgives all of you too.

Offender Information

For additional information, please see this New York Times article

Jeffery Motley #789; February 7, 1995

In his final statement, Mr. Motley turned toward his mother, Joanne, and said, "I love you, Mom. Goodbye."

Then he cried and repeated, "Goodbye, Mom."

Offender Information

For additional information, please see this New York Times article

Willie Williams #677; January 31, 1995

There’s love and peace in Islam.

Offender Information

For more information about Williams's crime and execution, his "double execution" with Clifton Russell Jr, and the mix-up that led an auto-thief to death row (temporarily), please see these Houston Chronicle articles.

Clifton Russell #658; January 31, 1995

I would like to thank my friends and family for sticking with me through all of this. I would like to encourage my brothers to continue to run the race. I thank my Father, God in Heaven, for the grace he has granted me – I am ready.

Offender Information

For additional information about Russell's crime and execution, and his "double execution" with Willie Williams, please see this CNCPF page.

Mario Marquez #776; January 17, 1995

Thank you for being my Lord Jesus and Savior and I am ready to come home. Amen.

Offender Information

Please see these Houston Chronicle articles for additional information about Marquez's crime, execution, and the debate surrounding his mental retardation.

Jesse Jacobs #872; January 4, 1995

I have committed lots of sin in my life, but I am not guilty of this crime.

I would like to tell my son, daughter and wife that I love them –

Eden, if they want proof of them, give it to them. Thanks for being my friend.

Offender Information

For additional information, please see this Houston Chronicle article

Raymond Kinnamon #808; December 11, 1994

…guys like them got tied up in something like this. Thank Chaplain Taylor and Jane. I just got your letter. Thanks to Carolyn and Gloria, who have been my friends for over four years. I want to remember Patsy Buntion, Gladys and a lot more friends. I want to thank the prosecutor in my case; it took courage for him to do what he did but he did what he did because he believed in the judicial system.

I’m not ready to go, but I have no choice; I sent several letters to my family; they’ll be very moving when you get them. I want to say goodbye again to my boys. I know I’m missing somebody, but if there’s anything I have left to say, it would be that I wish I had a Shakespearean vocabulary, but since I was raised in TDC, I missed out on some of my vocabulary.

If my words can persuade you to discontinue this practice of executing people, please do so. If the citizens don’t do away with the death penalty, Texas won’t be a safe place to be. I have no revenge because hate won’t solve anything.

Offender Information

For additional information about Kinnamon's crime, execution, and his filibustering in the execution chamber, please see his CNCPF page

Herman Clark #715; December 6, 1994

I told the daughter not to come. Discontinue; be quiet, please. Specifically, I want to say that the bad evil man I was when I came to death row 13 years ago is no more – by the power of God; Jesus Christ; God Almighty; Holy Spirit, he has transformed me as a new creature of Christ. I know that I am a Christ child and that my Lord will welcome me into His arms.

Jesus Christ is the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings. I love all of you, those I can and can’t see. With the love of Christ, my love for you is secure and I love you purely and wholeheartedly in the name of the Almighty God.

Offender Information

Additional Information

Warren Bridge #668; November 22, 1994

I'll see you.

Offender Information

Additional Information

Walter Williams #722; October 5, 1994

(Mumbled something about he wished his whole life would have been spent as Islamic.)

Offender Information

For additional information, please see Williams' CNCPF site

George Lott #999058; September 20, 1994

No

Offender Information

For additional information about his crime and execution, please see these Houston Chronicle articles

Jessie Gutierrez #971; September 16, 1994

I just love everybody, and that’s it.

Offender Information

For additional information, see Gutierrez's page on the CNCP Forum

Robert Nelson Drew #755; August 2, 1994

(First two or three words not understood.) I don’t know why Marta Glass wasn’t allowed in here. I love you all. Keep the faith. Remember the death penalty is murder. They are taking the life of an innocent man. My attorney, Ron Kuley [unintelligible], will read my letter at a press conference after this is over. That is all I have to say. I love you all.

Offender Information

Please see these Houston Chronicle articles for more insight into this strange case

Denton Crank #803; June 14, 1994

To my family who has kept me strong, I give my love.

Offender Information

Additional information can be found in this Associated Press article

Stephen Ray Nethery #698; May 27, 1994

Well, I just wanted to ask people to pray for two families: my family and the family of Officer McCarthy. I appreciate the prayers. Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.

Offender Information

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.

Offender Information

For additional information, please see this Houston Chronicle article

Larry Anderson #733; April 26, 1994

Anderson declined to make a final statement

Offender information

For additional information, please see his CNCP page

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

Offender Information

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.."

Freddie Webb #848; March 31, 1994

Peace.

Offender Information

Additional information here

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.)

Offender Information

Additional information here

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.

Offender Information

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

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.

Offender Information

Additional information can be found in this Houston Chronicle article

Antonio Bonham #700; September 28, 1993

Bonham declined to make a final statement

Offender Information

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

Johnny James #839; September 3, 1993

James declined to make a final statement

Offender Information

For additional information about his crime and execution, please see this Houston Chronicle article

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

Ruben Cantu #804; August 24, 1993

No, sir.

Offender information

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.

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.

Offender Information

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

Offender Information

Additional information available here

David Holland #820; August 12, 1993

Holland declined to make a last statement

Offender Information

Additional information about his crime and execution

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.

Offender Information

For additional information, see this Houston Chronicle article

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.

Offender Information

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

Curtis Harris #637; July 1, 1993

Harris declined to make a final statement

Offender Information and Houston Chronicle article about his crime and execution

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.

Offender Information

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

John Sawyers #742; May 18, 1993

No

Offender Information

Additional information can be found in this Houston Chronicle article

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.

Offender Information

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.

Darryl Stewart #664; May 4, 1993

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

Offender Information

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

Ramon Montoya #737; March 25, 1993

May God help us. I am ready.

Offender Information

Additional information is available in this Houston Chronicle article

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."

Offender Information

Additional Information available here

Kavin Wayne Lincecum #832; December 10, 1992

Lincecum declined to make a final statement

Information about his crime and execution can be found here

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

James Demouchette #572; September 22, 1992

Demouchette refused to make a final statement

Offender Information

For further information about "the meanest man on death row," please read this Houston Chronicle article

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

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

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."

Offender Information

Additional information available here

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."

Offender Information

Additional information available in this Houston Chronicle article

Billy White #585; April 23, 1992

White made no final statement.

Offender Information

For information about his crime and execution, please read this Houston Chronicle article

Edward Ellis #749; March 3, 1992

I just want everyone to know that the prosecutor and Bill Scott are sorry sons of bitches.
To his family he added that he loved them all.

Offender Information

Additional information can be found in this Houston Chronicle article

David Clark #874; February 28, 1992

None. But as he lay there he did praise the Lord and seemed to be praying.

Offender Information

Additional information available here

Johnny Garrett #729; February 11, 1992

I'd like to thank my family for loving me and taking care of me. And the rest of the world can kiss my everloving ass, because I'm innocent.

Offender Information

Additional information about this case and the controversy surrounding it, can be found here and here, and a case summary can be found on Wikipedia

Joe Cordova #730; January 22, 1992

Cordova made no final statement.

Information about his crime and execution can be found in this Houston Chronicle article

G.W. Green #576; November 12, 1991

Let’s do it, man. Lock and load. Ain’t life a [expletive deleted]?

Offender Information

See also Joseph Starvaggi

Lawrence Russell Brewer #999327; September 21, 2011

No, I have no final statement.

Offender Information

For those who don't remember the horrific murder of James Byrd, information on the crime can be found summarized in its Wikipedia page. Brewer, the day before his execution, told a local TV station, "“As far as any regrets, no, I have no regrets,” Brewer says. “No, I’d do it all over again, to tell you the truth.”

James Russell #579; September 19, 1991

His final statement lasted 3 minutes. He thanked everybody that fought against his sentence. He spoke to his family and said he would carry their love with him.

Offender Information

Additional Information available in this Houston Chronicle article

Jerry Bird #512; June 17, 1991

I don’t think so. That’s all. Go ahead. Start things rolling. (Mouthed "Hi, Mom" to his mother.)

No official documents from the Texas DoCJ, but information about Bird's crime and execution can be found in this Houston Chronicle article. In addition, if you haven't already done so, please check out the the Crime and Capital Punishment Forum, as they collate additional interesting information, including inmates' last meals.

Ignacio Cuevas #526; May 23, 1991

I’m going to a beautiful place. O.K., Warden, roll ‘em.

Offender Information