Texas Execution Information Center

Execution Report: Keith Clay

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A jury convicted Clay of capital murder in April 1997 and sentenced him to death. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed the conviction and sentence in March 1998. All of his subsequent appeals in state and federal court were denied, including a last-minute appeal claiming that Clay, who graduated from high school, was retarded.

Shannon Charles Thomas was convicted of capital murder in the Rios case and is on death row. He was charged, but not tried, in the Varughese case.

In a death-row interview, Clay denied that he participated in either murder. He said that he "never set foot" in Rios' house, and that he waited in the car at the convenience store while King and Thomas went inside. "Whatever God's will is for my life, I'm going to accept, Clay said. "Lord Jesus, He was wrongly convicted for something He didn't do, and paid the price."

"I know you have suffered a great loss and I am truly, truly sorry," Clay told the victim's family at his execution. He also asked God to "forgive me of every single solitary sin I have committed these 35 years I have lived upon the earth." Finally, Clay told his mother, "Let everyone know that I love them. This is not goodbye. I will see you later." He began praying softly as the lethal injection was administered. He was pronounced dead at 6:23 p.m.

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By David Carson. Posted on 24 March 2003.
Sources: Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Texas Attorney General's Office, Associated Press.

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