Execution Report: Caruthers Alexander

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The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals threw out Alexander's original conviction, ruling that certain testimony given during his trial was improper. He was retried, convicted, and sentenced to death again in 1990. Alexander had three execution dates set in 2000 and avoided execution all three times. In July, he was given a stay so that a hair found on the victim could be DNA tested. In early January 2001, the judge announced that the DNA test was positive and immediately scheduled a new execution date for Alexander.

While on death row, Alexander maintained his innocence. He called his conviction and the DNA test "bunk." At his execution, he declined to make a final statement. As he lay strapped to the gurney, a single tear streamed down his left cheek. He gave a loud cough and gasped several times after the lethal drugs were administered. He was pronounced dead at 6:18 p.m.

By David Carson. Posted on 30 January 2001.
Sources: Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Houston Chronicle, Huntsville Item.