Execution Report: John Amador

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A jury convicted Amador of capital murder in July 1995 and sentenced him to death. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed the conviction and sentence in April 1997. All of his subsequent appeals in state and federal court were denied.

In an interview from death row, Amador denied any involvement in the shootings. "I was on parole," he said. "I feel for her, I feel for the deceased's family, but I didn't do this."

In the interview, Amador was vague about his involvement in his stepfather's killing. "There's nothing I can say. They found my fingerprints. I confessed. I was so drunk, so loaded on drugs. I feel responsible for his death."

Amador also admitted threatenting his girlfriend not to testify against him. "My anger dictated my emotions and harmed me," he said. "I was in a rage then. I've changed a lot. I'm not the same angry man, the person I was back then."

"God forgive me," Amador said in his last statement at his execution. "God forgive them, for they know not what they do. After all these years, our people are still lost in hatred and anger. Give them peace, God, for people seeking revenge against me." Amador also expressed love to his wife and friends, who watched his execution from a viewing room. He concluded by saying "Freedom. I'm ready." As the lethal injection began taking effect, Amador said, "Wow." He was pronounced dead at 6:37 p.m.

The victim's wife, JoAnn Ayari, attended the execution, along with the couple's son, Amir, who was 6 years old when his father was killed. Mrs. Ayari told reporters that she forgave Amador and felt sorry for his family. Amir said that he was happy that Amador was executed, but that Amador "looked too happy" and should have been burned.

By David Carson. Posted on 5 September 2007.
Sources: Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Texas Attorney General's office, Associated Press, court documents.