Execution Report: Samuel Gallamore

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A jury convicted Gallamore in February 1994 of the capital murder of Mr. and Mrs. Kenney and Adrienne Arnot and sentenced him to death. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed the conviction and sentence in February 1996. All of his subsequent appeals in state and federal court were denied.

James John Steiner was convicted in December 1994 of capital murder and sentenced to life in prison.

"Things went wrong, terribly wrong," Gallamore said of the triple murder in an interview the week before his execution. "I was under the impression that people weren't supposed to be there. They were. One thing led to another. Everything happened so fast. I had a split second to react. I don't know why I made the decision that I did, but those people had a chance to live. No one had to die ... I am sorry. I have no problem giving my life in payment."

"When it comes to having a life, you can pretty much say mine was a failure," Gallamore said.

Gallamore declined to make a spoken last statement at his execution. He was pronounced dead at 6:14 p.m. His written last statement was issued after the execution was over. "I would like to apologize and say I'm sorry, but words seem so hollow and cheap," he wrote. He also thanked his victim's family for their forgiveness. "Thank you. You have given me more hope than I have had in a long time ... If I could change things I would, not for my sake but for all those who have loved me over the years and for those who have forgiven me."

"We forgave him," said Kristin Huffman, Arnot's cousin, who witnessed the execution. "My heart goes out to Gallamore's family," she said. "They've lost a son, a loved one, and we know what that feels like."

By David Carson. Posted on 15 January 2003.
Sources: Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Texas Attorney General's office, Associated Press, Huntsville Item.