Kunkle is put to death (Final appeal delays execution 2 hours)

Corpus Christi Caller-Times ^ | January 26, 2005 | By Neal Falgoust (Caller-Times)

[Paleo Conservative]

HUNTSVILLE - Troy Kunkle met his death Tuesday for the 1984 abduction and fatal shooting of Corpus Christi resident Steven Wayne Horton.

Kunkle, 38, was put to death by lethal injection after having faced the chamber on five previous occasions. He was the 338th inmate on Texas' death row to die by lethal injection, the second this year.

While strapped to the gurney, Kunkle asked for forgiveness from Horton's daughter, Shawni, then told his family and friends that he loved them. He then recited the Lord's Prayer.

"I made a mistake, and I am sorry for what I did," he said. "I love you and I will see all of you in heaven. I love you very much. Praise Jesus."

At 8:04 p.m., Kunkle nodded to the warden to begin the flow of lethal chemicals into his body. He then let out a few deep breaths, closed his eyes and slipped into unconsciousness. He was pronounced dead at 8:12 p.m.

Kunkle's wife, Christa Haber, said "Shame to Texas" as she was leaving the death house.

Horton's sister, Brenda Horton, said the family was relieved that the execution had been carried out.

"It's been a burden on my mom and dad," she said, adding that her parents spent the evening away from home.

The execution was delayed for two hours while the U.S. Supreme Court considered a final appeal from Kunkle's attorney. The court voted 5-4 to allow the execution to go forward. Prison officials received word just before 8 p.m. that the execution would be allowed to proceed.

Kunkle's 20 years in prison had been punctuated by repeated delays of his sentence. The U.S. Supreme Court twice stepped in on his scheduled execution date to issue a stay, most recently on Nov.18. The court lifted that stay last month, allowing the execution to proceed.

Texas Department of Criminal Justice spokeswoman Michelle Lyons said Kunkle appeared calm in the hours leading up to his death.

"He already knew what to expect," Lyons said.

Kunkle's attorneys argued against carrying out the sentence because they believed jurors did not have sufficient opportunity to properly consider his history of drug and alcohol abuse as mitigating evidence during the punishment phase of his trial. That evidence, they said, could have spared his life.

Kunkle, 18 at the time of the killing, and three friends were visiting Corpus Christi from San Antonio on Aug. 12, 1984, when they decided to look for someone to rob. Horton, 31, was walking on Paul Jones Avenue when the group stopped and offered him a ride home.

Once he was in the car, one of the four put a gun to Horton's head and demanded his wallet. Horton refused, and Kunkle shot him in the back of the head with a .22-caliber pistol. Kunkle's girlfriend then pushed Horton's body out of the car and took his wallet, which contained $13.

After the killing, Kunkle reportedly recited lyrics from heavy metal band Metallica's song "No Remorse," from the album "Kill 'em All," saying, "Another day, another death, another sorrow, another breath," according to state reports. Later, he reportedly said the killing was "beautiful."

Contact Neal Falgoust at 886-4334 or falgoustn@caller.com

KUNKLE'S LAST DAYS

Sunday Midnight Kunkle sleeping on bunk
3:30 a.m. Kunkle eating breakfast
8:01 a.m. Kunkle showering
12:05 p.m. Kunkle lying on bunk
4:35 p.m. Kunkle sleeping
8:32 p.m. Kunkle standing at cell door
10:30 p.m. Kunkle lying on bunk reading
11:27 p.m. Kunkle lying on bunk
Monday
12:29 a.m. Kunkle sleeping
5:29 a.m. Kunkle sitting on bunk drinking coffee
8:23 a.m. Kunkle escorted to visitation
10:32 a.m. Kunkle visiting and eating
1:18 p.m. Kunkle visiting
5 p.m. Kunkle escorted back to cell
6:45 p.m. Kunkle talking to priest
7:34 p.m. Kunkle returned to cell from shower
11:45 p.m. Kunkle sleeping
Tuesday
12:15 a.m. Kunkle sleeping
4:17 a.m. Kunkle sitting on bunk writing letters
5:44 a.m. Kunkle walking in cell
8:25 a.m. Kunkle escorted to visitation
8:59 a.m. Kunkle visiting and eating
Noon Visitation terminated

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[OldSmaj]

If you really meant that, you'd have kept your own mouth shut.

Okay, here's me keeping my own mouth shut.

[Paleo Conservative]

So Corpus is your hometown? Ever eat at a Sheps' Chicken Shack?

Unfortunately not in the last 25 years since they went out of business.

[cweese]

Hehehe...yeah, that was a drag when they closed. He's my godfather (Dale Shepperd). I was born there (Spaun hosp.) and only lived there ~ 5 years. I think it's still a neat town whenever I have the chance to visit.

[TruthShallSetYouFree]

"I made a mistake, and I am sorry for what I did," he said.

No, you didn't make a mistake--you committed murder. A mistake is when you add 7 plus 8 and get 13, or when you show up at a restaurant an hour late because you remembered the wrong time, or when you say "It's between you and I" because you weren't paying attention to grammar in grade school. Murder is a different matter entirely.

[epow]

so I suggest you let Him, and stop hoping and praying people into hell.

Good suggestion Sink.

Remember the repentant thief on the cross, and Jesus' words to him. "This day you shall be with me in Paradise". St Paul held the coats of the men who stoned Steven to death and later persecuted many other Christians to the death himself, yet God chose him to become one of the greatest apostles. God's amazing grace is just that, amazing.

[tang-soo]

I will see all of you in heaven

Not...

Obviously as most would agree, this man should have been executed. As someone else has stated, probably much earlier. He deserved his first death as do we all for one reason or another. However, your comment about weather or not he will suffer his second death is not ours to make. Infinite Grace means just that. If in the 20 years he sat in prison, he accepted the Saving Grace of Jesus Christ, then yes, I expect to see him in God's Kingdom just like the thief on the cross.

The best example I can think of this is the case of Nebuchadnezzar. As the general and eventual ruler of Babylon, he killed probably hundreds of thousands, destroyed the temple and carried The Chose away from their homeland where they would spend 70 years in desolation. One living during that time would probably point to him and say he deserved the darkest pit of hell and he probably did. Yet, if you read Daniel Chapter 4 which was his personal testimony, you will see that he also accepted the God of Abraham as his own. By the way, the only chapter in the Old Testament penned by a gentile. Some day I expect top also worship The Lord next to Nebuchadnezzar.

I am incorporating this theme into a novel I have been working on for a few years. A man who works for the family of the eventual anti-christ is personally responsible for the deaths of millions and through his life commits horrible crimes. Yet, in the end, he accepts Christ and is saved. It's difficult for us to reconcile - agreed. The point is "infinite grace" is just that.

[MissAmericanPie]

He certainly had time to mellow from being an eighteen year old. Talk about ruining your life.

[MeekOneGOP]

[ArrogantBustard]

God will see into their hearts.

Yes He will ... far better than you or I.

It is our responsibility as Citizens of this Republic, when called upon to serve as jurors, the judge the objective guilt or innocence of those who stand trial for crimes. It is also our responsibility to recommend an appropriate earthly sentence for those we find guilty.

Judging the condition of their souls is not our job ... and we are irretrievably incompetent to do it. That's God's job.