Execution Report: David Martinez

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Martinez had no prior criminal convictions, but in April 1995, a few months prior to his 18th birthday, he was charged with carrying an explosive device. He was given deferred adjudication and placed on five years' probation. He was sent to boot camp after violating the terms of his probation.

A jury convicted Martinez of capital murder in October 1998 and subsequently sentenced him to death. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed the conviction and sentence in May 2000. All of his subsequent appeals in state and federal court were denied.

"Only the sky and green grass goes on forever, and today is a good day to die," Martinez said in his last statement. The lethal injection was then started. Martinez was pronounced dead at 6:17 p.m.

By David Carson. Posted on 29 July 2005.
Sources: Texas Attorney General's office, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Associated Press, Austin American-Statesman.