Execution Report: John Wheat

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John Wheat had no prior criminal history. At his trial, his lawyer claimed that he suffered brain damage weeks earlier from inhaling glue fumes while installing insulation. He also claimed that his actions were influenced by his service in Vietnam, although no record of that service was produced.

Wheat was convicted of the murder of Lacey Anderson. Under Texas law, murder of a child less than six year old is a capital offense. A jury sentenced Wheat to death in February 1997, and he was not tried for the other murders. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed the trial court's verdict in April 1999. His other appeals to state and federal court were denied. Wheat did not seek clemency and declined to speak with reporters prior to his execution.

At his execution, Wheat said, "I deeply regret what happened. I did not intentionally or knowingly harm anyone. I did not do anything deliberately." He then uttered a Vietnamese word that prison officials said means, "let's get out of here." He was pronounced dead at 6:19 p.m.

By David Carson. Posted on 14 June 2001.
Sources: Texas Attorney General's Office, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Associated Press, Huntsville Item.