Execution Report: Jeffery Tucker

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A jury convicted Tucker of capital murder and sentenced him to death. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed the conviction and sentence in June 1993. All of his subsequent appeals in state and federal courts were denied.

In a death row interview, Tucker said that he only meant to steal the truck and trailer to support his expensive cocaine and heroin habit. "I'm sorry it happened," he said. "I've had to wake up every day for the last 13 years and look at myself in the mirror and know that I took a man's life." He accepted full responsibility for the crime and he also accepted his punishment. "I am guilty of this crime," he said in a death-row interview. "If my death will give [Humphreys' family] peace, then I will give them that peace." However, he also said that his life of crime and Humprhey's murder might have been avoided if the Texas Department of Criminal Justice had attempted to get him off of drugs. "I wish they would have rehabilitated me. If they'd put me in a drug rehab and counseling the first time I was in, it would have been over and that would have been it."

Tucker was scheduled to be executed on 11 September 2001, the day that terrorists destroyed the World Trade Center in New York City and caused other destruction in Washington, D.C. and southern Pennsylvania. The U.S. Supreme Court had already denied Tucker's appeal, and Tucker himself had expressed a wish to drop his final appeals. Nevertheless, his lawyers filed another appeal a few days before his execution date. Governor Rick Perry issued an emergency 30-day stay, citing the terrorist acts and the fact that the courts were closed, preventing the appeal filed by Tucker's lawyers from being heard. This was the first time Governor Perry used his power to grant an emergency stay of execution since he took office in January 2001. Tucker's final appeal was denied by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals on 10 October, and his execution was then rescheduled for 14 November. At Tucker's insistence, his lawyers filed no further appeals.

At his execution, Tucker reiterated his feelings of apology and acceptance. "To the Humphreys family, I am sorry for the pain and suffering I caused them," he said, looking at Peggy Humphreys. "It was just a simple accident, and if my death can bring you peace and solace, then I bring that to you. I know that I leave this world for the crime I committed." He then thanked his family, attorneys, and spiritual advisor and recited the Lord's Prayer. After he said "Amen", the lethal injection was administered. Tucker was pronounced dead at 6:26 p.m.

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