Execution Report: Richard Hinojosa

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A jury convicted Hinojosa of capital murder in July 1997 and sentenced him to death. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed the conviction and sentence in October 1999. All of his subsequent appeals in state and federal court were denied.

In an interview from death row two weeks prior to his execution, Hinojosa said that he met Wright after she moved in next door to his father. Hinojosa and his wife - his fourth - then moved in with his father. He said that his wife would leave for a week or two at a time, and that he and Wright began having an affair. He said he had no involvement in her murder. He also said that the shoe print found at the murder scene was a size 7, and he wore a size 10½.

Despite pleading his innocence, Hinojosa expressed hope that his youngest son, a 16 year old, would be allowed to witness his execution because "it might make sure that he stays on the straight and narrow path, especially if I offer some wisdom to him before I die."

"I'm going to tell you, I don't want to die over something I didn't do," Hinojosa said, "but I'm at peace with the whole thing. I know I have taken the life of someone before." He said that in the manslaughter case, he killed someone who had been harassing his family and who came to his house with a weapon in his hand.

"I'm not angry," he continued. "Maybe this is something that the family needs to heal, even though, like I said, I claim my innocence, maybe this is something they need. Maybe this is something my dysfunctional family needs to bring them to some kind of healing. You know, it can serve a bigger purpose."

"I am going to be free. I am going to Heaven," Hinojosa said in his last statement at his execution. He then told the victim's relatives who were in attendance, "I pray for you. Please find peace in your heart. I know you may hate me for whatever reason. The Lord says hate no one. I hope you find peace in your hearts. I know my words cannot help you. I truly mean what I say." After Hinojosa finished his statement, he told the warden, "Kick the tires and light the fire. I'm going home to see my son and my mom." The lethal dose was then given. Hinojosa chanted a prayer as the drugs took effect. He was pronounced dead at 6:19 p.m.

By David Carson. Posted on 18 August 2006.
Sources: Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Texas Attorney General's office, Bexar County District Attorney's office, Associated Press, CourtTV.com.