State (Texas) Carries Out Second Execution In Two Days

KWTX ^ | March 7, 2007 | KWTX

[COEXERJ145]

(March 7, 2007)-- Joseph Nichols, 45, was executed just after 6 p.m. Tuesday in Huntsville for the shooting death of an elderly store clerk during a robbery more than a quarter century ago.

The US Supreme Court refused late Wednesday to block the execution.

Nichols and an accomplice, Willie Ray Williams, were both sentenced to death for the 1980 shooting death of Houston convenience store clerk Claude Shaffer, 70.

Williams was executed for the crime in 1995.

Appeals and protests from death penalty opponents focused on the fact that one bullet wound killed Shaffer and that Williams was convicted of being the shooter.

But prosecutors say Texas law makes non-triggermen just as responsible in crimes like Shaffer's murder.

The execution was the second in two days.

[COEXERJ145]

[LibKill]

He will not be missed.

25 years to execute? We have to speed this up!

[COEXERJ145]

25 years on death row is far too long.

Texas Execution Ping!

[NickatNite2003]

An execution a day
Helps keep the Dims away.

[Zeroisanumber]

25 years to execute? We have to speed this up!

I'm cool with fast-tracking cases that are beyond a shadow of a doubt, smoking gun cases. We can probably speed those up without too much difficulty.

[flynmudd]

One less drain on society and my tax dollars. Spark 'em up TEXAS! I know that sounds heartless, but I don't care! Chalk me up with Ann Coulter and call a spade a spade. Just know that if you commit a capital crime in Texas, you will most likely meet sparky or gassy.

[CurlyQ]

Where Was Jesse Jackson, Mike Farrell, Rob Reiner, Susan Sarandon, Sean Penn, Ed Asner, Whoopi Goldberg, Danny Glover, Tim Robbins, Al Sharpton, and Desmond Tutu today.

[Fireone]

Gawd, I love Texas!

[DuncanWaring]

Anyone know off the top of their head if the Texas Death Row population is increasing or decreasing?

In other words, are they executing prisoners faster than they are sentencing new criminals to death, or the other way around?

[SALChamps03]

"If you come to Texas and kill someone, we will kill you back. That's our policy."

Ron White

[weegee]

How many murders occurred today?

Well the media will claim that is a criminal act while this is done by the State.

How many school nurses aided in securing teen abortions this year without parental consent?

[weegee]

The was a logjam on cases. I believe that it cleared during the Bush term as governor but happened independently of who was serving as governor.

[Deo volente]

As long as Gov. Swarzeneggger wants to send inmates in overcrowded prisons in California to other states, can he also send some of those on San Quentin's Death Row to Texas?

I'm all in favor of that, since we average an execution or two every decade here in California. We've got about 650 condemned prisoners, most of whom will grow old and die a natural death in their cells, while costing the state millions of dollars in their endless court appeals.

Texas justice is timely and efficient.

[2dogjoe]

I love Texas!

[Free Vulcan]

'In Texas, we have the death penalty and we....USE IT!!!'

[BJClinton]

25 years to execute? We have to speed this up!

I agree but this guy didn't actually pull the trigger. I guess it was precedent setting and will put more accomplices in the express lane check out.

[diamond6]

Does Texas still execute by electrocution?


Shiver.

[deport]

Anyone know off the top of their head if the Texas Death Row population is increasing or decreasing?

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Since 1982 when excutions began anew Texas has executed 384 inmates. There are currently 389 offenders on death row..... I'm not sure how the last two executions impact the above numbers.....

Texas Death Row information:

http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/stat/deathrow.htm

[onyx]

BUMP!
GOOD on Texas!

[deport]

Does Texas still execute by electrocution?

---

injection

Cost per execution for drugs used : $86.08
http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/stat/drowfacts.htm