Execution Report: Jack Clark

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On death row, Clark claimed that he was innocent and that his signed confession was insincere. When recent DNA tests tied him to the crime scene and the rape, he said that the evidence was planted.

The U.S. Supreme Court rejected Clark's appeal in October. Governor Rick Perry rejected his clemency request. This was the first execution in Texas in 2001 and the first during Perry's tenure. Perry, formerly lieutenant governor, became governor upon the resignation of President-elect George W. Bush. Perry had also allowed some executions during Bush's six years as governor, when Bush was out of the state and Perry was the acting governor.

At his execution, Clark apologized to Garcia's family, asked for their forgiveness, and quoted a verse of Scripture. He was pronounced dead at 6:27 p.m.

By David Carson. Posted on 10 January 2001.
Sources: Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Houston Chronicle, Huntsville Item.