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Posted on 10/08/2026 6:54:56 AM PDT by NorthMountain
Texas authorities executed a man on Wednesday, the first execution in the nation since Christa Pike survived two lethal injections in Tennessee in late September.
Jamaal Howard, 46, was pronounced dead at 8:03 p.m. after receiving a fatal dose of pentobarbital at the state prison in Huntsville. He was convicted of killing Vickie Swartout, 42, during a store robbery in 2000.
Howard’s attorneys unsuccessfully sought to block the execution by arguing that he was intellectually disabled and that he faced risks similar to those in Pike’s case because both states use pentobarbital for lethal injections.
Asked by the warden if he had a final statement, Howard apologized to some members of his victim’s family, who watched through a window just feet from the death chamber.
“I wish that you accept my apology and I wish for your forgiveness,” he said, shortly before the injection got underway. “I’m sorry for what happened. I wish you can learn to forgive me one of these days.”
As the pentobarbital began taking effect, Howard took a couple of breaths and gasped. He then began making snoring sounds, coughed and resumed the snoring sounds, each time the sound becoming quieter. Within about 30 seconds, all movement stopped.
He was pronounced dead 19 minutes later.
Failed Execution Pike, 50, was convicted of the 1995 murder of a classmate. She was supposed to be executed on Sept. 30, but after being injected with two doses of pentobarbital in a prison in Nashville, she was still alive.
An ambulance was summoned, and she was taken to a nearby medical facility.
Pike’s lawyers said on Oct. 6 that she was awake and talking. The attorneys said they want to figure out exactly what happened. A judge on Wednesday granted their request to preserve evidence in the failed execution. The judge warned the state to “ensure that you all take special care not to lose, misplace, [or] accidentally delete any information that may be pertinent to this litigation.”
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee halted all executions in the state through the end of the year and ordered a third party to review how Pike survived.
“The people of Tennessee expect that those sentences will be carried out in a manner that’s not only legal and constitutional, but effective. And that didn’t happen,” Lee told reporters after ordering the pause. “I’m highly disappointed.”
US Executions Howard was the 30th person executed in the country so far this year.
Texas has executed seven people so far in 2026, including Howard, and plans two more executions before the year’s end.
Florida has carried out 16 executions so far this year, the most of any state.
Tennessee executed murderer Anthony Darrell Hines in August.
Alabama, Arizona, and Oklahoma have also put people to death in 2026.
All of the executions in 2026 have been by lethal injection, according to the Death Penalty Information Center.
Most states that allow executions use lethal injection as their primary method.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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I just knew I’d have a better day today!
Seems to me a lethal injection directly into the heart would be effective.
It is essential to understand the murderer’s request that the victim’s family “learn to forgive me” is that such forgiveness is limited to what the murderer did to them: the pain and suffering of the loss of a loved one. As to the murder itself, only the victim — and, of course, God — can forgive him for that; the family members cannot ... at least in the truest sense of “forgiveness”.
WHY are we letting these scum live for 20-30 years on death row??? and then pussy-foot around the means? Lethal injection is gentler? they go to sleep? it assuages the anti-DP people?
F*CK THAT.
Bring back the firing squad, the chair and hanging. Let these b*st*rds feel some of the pain and terror they inflicted on their victims.
Guilty- one mandatory appeal to make sure their civil rights were protected- THE END.
“Sometimes I think old Billy was right, let’s kill all the lawyers, kill ‘em tonight”- thank you Don Henley.
IMO there’s nothing wrong with the lethal injection process in general.
In my state there have been 16 put to death that way just this year alone and not one hiccup with any of them.
I guess when you do not use a team of DEI witches you can get it done.
No way it wasn’t intentional.
Follow the money. Pike made sure she was dehydrated so her veins would blow. Who knew will be the answer.
What a nice way to go (for Howard.) Get high, go to sleep, never wake up. I should go that easily when my time comes.
The US Army has set a Dec. 3 execution date for Fort Hood terrorist Nidal Hasan, who will be put to death by firing squad at the site of the 2009 mass shooting where he murdered 13 people and wounded 32 others.
It only takes the Army 17 years...
Exactly!
Her hand picked all female knew bank it.
YES
3 women administered the drug to Pike. Therein lies the problem.
“ Seems to me a lethal injection directly into the heart would be effective.”
Basic medical procedures involve starting an IV. Insert needle withdraw syringe to verify the needle is in the vein.
Those dumb bitches on that execution squad screwed that up on purpose. That was their intent to show it was a cruel and unusual punishment.
Deathrow inmates should not be allowed “all female” executioners.
Gas chamber, electric chair, guillotine, firing squad. Victims family pics ( if appropriate) otherwise they draw straws for the method!
That only real risk being 'finding a usable vein'.
So would a bullet. Should have shot Christa in the head instead of taking her to the hospital. Now I hear she’s mad...at what, still being alive.
God forgives..I don’t!
Surprised Biden did not commute his sentence.
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