Execution Report: Orien Joiner

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In a death-row interview, Joiner said that he was innocent. He said he saw the bloody bodies through a window, put his fist through the window to get the door opened, then called police. He said that the blood on his shoes got there when he and a police officer walked through the apartment. He also said that although he was innocent and about to be executed, he was "happy as a lark" because of his belief in God.

"As I have said from the very first day, I am innocent of this crime and God knows I am innocent and the poor people that were murdered know I am innocent and when I get to Heaven, I (will meet them) and we'll all talk, Joiner said in his final statement. While receiving the lethal injection, he mouthed "I love you" to someone. He was pronounced dead at 6:17 p.m.

By David Carson. Posted on 16 July 2000.
Sources: Texas Dept. of Criminal Justice, the Associated Press, the Huntsville Item.