Execution Report: Peter Miniel

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A jury convicted Miniel of capital murder in October 1988 and sentenced him to death. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed the conviction and sentence in January 1992. All of his subsequent appeals in state and federal court were denied.

James Warren Russell Jr. was also charged with capital murder, but he accepted a 50-year sentence for murder in exchange for his testimony against Miniel.

In a death row interview the week before his execution, Miniel confessed to the murder for the first time. "We got into a fight," Miniel said of the murder. "I don't remember everything, but I know the other guy started stabbing him and he wouldn't die. I started hitting him with the absorber ... One thing led to another. We shouldn't have done that. It was wrong. We were very high and drunk. That was my main problem."

Miniel said that events in his family life contributed to his life of violence and crime. "I grew up with a lot of animosity, a lot of anger," he said.

Miniel told his attorneys not to seek any final appeals on his behalf. "I've been locked up 18 years ... I want to get this over with." He said that his upcoming execution would be "a relief." "Years ago, when I first went to trial, I said I was not guilty of the crime," Miniel said. "I lied. I want to tell the truth. I am guilty. I was wrong. I want to pay the price I was supposed to."

"I've learned from all my mistakes in the past. I'm sorry for what I've done in the past and I want my future to be more peaceful in a better place. I believe in doing good now," Miniel said. He added, "I want to apologize to the family members of the deceased. I would like to make peace with them if possible."

At his execution, Miniel made no such apology, nor did he even make eye contact with the victim's family. His last statement was brief: "Into your hands, Oh Lord, I commence my spirit. Amen." He was pronounced dead at 6:22 p.m.

By David Carson. Posted on 8 October 2004.
Sources: Texas Attorney General's office, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Associated Press, Dallas Morning News, Huntsville Item.