Execution Report: James Wilkens

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A jury convicted James Wilkens of capital murder in February 1988 and sentenced him to death. In June 1992, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals ruled that certain psychological testimony was improperly admitted during the punishment phase, and threw out his conviction and sentence. Wilkens was re-tried in October 1993 and was convicted and sentenced to death again. His later appeals to state and federal courts were denied.

At his trial and during his appeals, Wilkens claimed he was temporarily insane at the time of the attack. In a 1992 interview from death row, he told a reporter, "I had killed them so many times in my mind, it was a dream. I didn't know reality." At his second trial in 1993, he told the jury that he heard voices and envisioned Richard Wood as his abusive father.

Sandra Williams had to have a section of her intestine removed because of her injuries. She has since married and is now Sandra Carpenter. She attended Wilkens' execution in Huntsville, along with Larry McMillan's two grandfathers.

At his execution, Wilkens apologized to Carpenter and the other witnesses. "Sandy -- all of you -- I am sorry," he said. "Please hear me. Please, in the name of God, forgive me." He continued asking for forgiveness, thanked his own family for support, and offered a prayer asking the Lord for forgiveness. After he finished praying, he looked at the warden and said, "I am ready to go home, please." The lethal dose was started, and James Wilkens was pronounced dead at 6:23 p.m.

By David Carson. Posted on 15 July 2001.
Sources: Texas Attorney General's Office, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Associated Press, Huntsville Item.