Inmate apologizes to victim's family before being executed [poor me]

The Associated Press ^ | Aug. 23, 2007 | MICHAEL GRACZYK

[Scotsman will be Free]

Exactly so. Any apology that has the word “but” in it is no apology at all, BUT a precurser to an excuse for one’s behavior.

[TexanToTheCore]

” Why is it that Texas is so successful in executing these killers compared to all the other pathetic states including my own state (Florida)?”

Because we do not care what others think of us. Doesn’t even register on the chart.

The rule is quite simple: You kill a Texan, we kill you.

[gotribe]

I used to believe that, but every year I see more power in Christ.

[Spktyr]

Part of the reason is that in a capital murder case in Texas, there are actually two trials. First, the trial to determine guilt, followed by a separate trial to determine punishment. Both are jury trials. This leaves less grounds for appeal on judge bias, etc. It also has the effect of telling other courts that not only one, but two juries found the perp guilty and meriting death - which has a lot of merit in appeals cases. In addition, the jury is allowed to select their own terms within guidelines; life without parole is always an option. In addition, the death penalty case is then automatically kicked up to the Court of Criminal Appeals, which does seem to clear through these cases quickly - and if they decide so, then that’s THREE courts and two juries that have decided this perp needs to die.

Typically, appeals get exhausted faster on a Texas case for these and other reasons.

Finally, they only have three appeals left after the Court of Criminal Appeals hears the case - the Texas Supreme Court (which usually says no, we aren’t going to hear it, go away), the US Circuit Court of Appeals, and then the US Supreme Court (which except for the mental retardation case has shown itself as singularly uninterested in Texas death penalty cases).

We also had the Texas Seven escape episode, where one of the the first things the escaped condemned prisoners did is kill Irving Police Officer Aubrey Hawkins. That kind of made us want to clean Death Row out, so there is a concerted effort here to make sure appeals are heard and decided quickly.

Georgia has the same system - they don’t seem to have a pressing desire to clean out Death Row, though.

[Spktyr]

That, too. Sympathy for criminals in Texas is very low to non-existent.

[bannie]

There’s a final power trip in asking to have his victim’s daughter pointed out.

Glad the bastard’s dead.
Sorry he was allowed “special” ANYthing.

[bannie]

BINGO!
Threats and power plays to the end.

Fry, pig.

[jhroberts]

Thanks for the info!

[Enchante]

Thanks for this post!!! What a remarkable story - this incredible woman gets to works sooooo hard but lives the American dream until a depraved animal snuffs out her life. Why the EU and US liberals care so much more about that kind of animal than about the victims of such hideous murders I’ll never understand.........

[Enchante]

Yes, the scumbag is imposing himself upon them even in his last moments...... he still lacked genuine contrition and humility, so far as I can tell......... what nerve, to believe he’s going to heaven!!!!!!!!! I don’t presume to know where he’s going, but no murderer should be full of confidence that they will go to heaven...... I’d rather hope he’s experiencing the start of eternal damnation and hellfire now........

[Titan Magroyne]

Thank you for that. Clearly, we lost a true American nine years ago. The killer of Kathyanna Gon Thi Nguyen wasn’t fit to tread the same earth as she was. That she suffered so much and loved this country so dearly, only to die at the hands of this human filth, makes me want to kill him over and over.