Execution Report: Brian Roberson

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Roberson's attorneys alleged that he did not get a fair trial, that his trial lawyers were incompetent, and that the jury was improperly selected to exclude blacks. The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles rejected Roberson's request for a stay by an 18-0 vote. On Wednesday, the U.S. Supreme Court denied his appeal by a 7-2 vote.

At his execution, Roberson addressed his family first. He then said, "To all of the racist white folks in America that hate black folks and to all of the black folks in America that hate themselves, the infamous words of my famous, legendary brother Nat Turner - y'all kiss my black ass. Let's do it." He then taunted the victim's family before receiving the lethal injection. He was pronounced dead at 6:17 p.m.

By David Carson. Posted on 10 August 2000.
Sources: Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Associated Press, Dallas Morning News, Huntsville Item.