Texas Execution Information Center

Execution Report: Emerson Rudd

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In an interview on death row, Rudd said that he didn't intend to kill Steve Morgan. "I'm definitely sorry this took place," he said. "There's nothing an individual can say. I can only say it happened and I wish it didn't happen." Rudd also questioned the fairness of his sentence. "I'm not somebody trying to set bombs and kill hundreds of people," he said. "I got involved with a robbery, and an individual got shot and he died."

In the same interview, Rudd said he would resist prison officials on the day of his execution. He also said that he would refuse his last meal, calling the tradition "pretty much an insult". When the time came for prison officers to transport him from death row in Livingston to the execution chamber in Huntsville, Rudd did in fact resist. Officers used pepper gas to control him, and he gave no further trouble. He kept his promise to refuse his last meal.

At his execution, Rudd told Morgan's parents, "I'm sorry for shooting your son down at that particular robbery." he said. "Politicians say that this brings closure, but I beg to differ because my death doesn't bring your son back -- it doesn't bring closure. I wish that I could do more, but I can't. I hope this brings you peace." He then expressed thanks and encouragement to his friends. He was pronounced dead at 6:26 p.m.

After Rudd's execution, the victim's brother, Ronald Morgan, told reporters that the family accepted Rudd's apology. He added, "Even though he didn't think it would bring closure, I think for many of us, it did."

The other robbers were identified as Frenchitt Collins, 18, Darron Price, 17, and Kendrick Smart, 17. They were each convicted of murder and aggravated robbery. They were given sentences of 10, 20, and 15 years, respectively. No further information was available regarding their status.

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By David Carson. Posted on 18 November 2001.
Sources: Texas Attorney General's Office, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Associated Press, Huntsville Item.

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