Huntsville, TX - As a crowd of death penalty opponents marched outside in silent protest, convicted NASCAR barbecue wrangler Ricky Wayne Lee, 34, was executed at the Texas State Prison by lethal injection at 12:03 this morning.
It was the 11th execution in Texas this year, and the fourth related to the notorious Ft Worth "grille gang" robberies. Earlier convictions had already resulted in the executions of Lee's partners Randy Lee Richards, Lee Wayne Randall, and gang mastermind Wayne Wayne Wayne.
Lee's attorneys had sought to overturn his conviction on technical grounds, arguing that Texas' "He Needed Killin'" sentencing law violated the state constitution. The Texas Supreme Court last month rejected the argument, citing the Shut The Hell Up Amendment.
The case had prompted international attention, but a chorus of appeals for clemency -- include the Pope -- had failed to persuade Governor Rick Perry. Texas Observer reporter John Harlan said that Perry is likely to face an aggressive re-election challenge, "and there is no way he needs to be seen to be soft on NASCAR barbecue thieves, even if he were only the lookout man."
Officials said Lee requested a final meal of brisket, sausage, chicken, spare ribs, rib tips, baby back ribs, chorizo and banana pudding.