Execution Report: Michael Rodriguez

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A jury convicted Rodriguez of capital murder in May 2002 and sentenced him to death. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed the conviction and sentence in March 2006. Later, Rodriguez chose to drop his appeals, and was allowed to do so after convincing the courts he was mentally competent.

All five of the other surviving escapees were also convicted of capital murder and sentenced to death. They remain on death row as of this writing. Rodriguez's father, Raul Rodriguez, also pleaded guilty to helping the prisoners escape.

"It was so thrilling that we actually got away with it," Rodriguez said to a reporter during an interview from death row the week before his execution. "But after Mr. Hawkins got killed, and I saw Peter Jennings on the TV news with our pictures, I thought: 'Oh my God. Oh my God, am I in trouble!'"

Rodriguez said that when he saw the police car, he hid under some sleeping bags that the gang had stuffed with stolen guns and money. "I just heard shots - pop, pop, pop. I thought it was the police, but no, it was us," he said. "I'm glad we got caught ... I'm glad it ended when it did. It would have been a mess."

Unlike many other condemned prisoners, Rodriguez had no qualms about dying for his actions. "Look, I'm guilty of what they said - everything." He said he wanted his wife's family and Hawkins' family "to know how truly sorry I am, and I am willing to pay."

"I need to pay back," Rodriguez said. "I can't pay back monetarily. This is the way."

Rodriguez blamed his wife's killing in 1992 on "lust" after he met a college student in San Marcos. "My wife was a wonderful person, and didn't deserve this," Rodriguez said. "I fell for a coed. It was stupid. I sit in my cell and think, 'How the heck did I get here?' But I was a willing participant ... I really thought I would get off, like a lot of people who are deluded."

"May I speak now?", Rodriguez asked as he was strapped to the execution gurney. "No, not yet," he was told. Needles were placed in both of his arms, and he was then given the chance to make his last statement. "I know this no way makes up for all the pain and suffering I gave you.," Rodriguez said. "I am so, so sorry. My punishment is nothing compared to the pain and sorrow I have caused. I hope that someday you can find peace. I am not strong enough to ask for forgiveness because I don't know if I am worthy. I realize what I've done to you and the pain I've given. Please Lord, forgive me. I have done some horrible things. I ask the Lord to please forgive me. I have gained nothing, but just brought sorrow and pain to these wonderful people. I am sorry. So, so sorry. To the Sanchez family, who showed me love. To the Hawkins family, I am sorry. I know I have affected them for so long. Please forgive me. Irene, I want to thank you and thank your husband, Jack. I'll be waiting for you. I am so sorry. To these families I ask forgiveness. Father, God, I ask you too for forgiveness. I ask you for forgiveness, Lord. I am ready to go, Lord. Thank you. I am ready to go."

Rodriguez then began singing a Christian song:
  "My Jesus, my Savior,
  There is none like You.
  All of my days, I want to praise,
  Let every breath ... Shout to the Lord, let us sing...."

Rodriguez's singing trailed off as the lethal drugs took effect. He was pronounced dead at 6:20 p.m.

By David Carson. Posted on 18 August 2008.
Sources: Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Associated Press, Dallas Morning News, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, court documents.