Execution Report: Virgil Martinez

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A jury convicted Martinez of four counts of capital murder in April 1998 and sentenced him to death. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed the conviction and sentence in May 2000. In their appeals, Martinez' lawyers argued that his epilepsy triggered the shooting spree. They also claimed Martinez was mentally ill. In 2004, the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals granted their request to have these claims examined in a hearing, but they were ultimately denied.

Martinez declined to speak with reporters in the week preceding his execution.

The execution was delayed for about a half hour while Martinez' final appeals were being considered. When he was strapped to the execution gurney, he was asked - as all condemned prisoners are - if he wanted to make a final statement, and advised that he had only two minutes to make it. Martinez first expressed love to his relatives. Next, he addressed Veronica Fuentes sister:

"I know what you've been told and that's all a lie. John Gomez killed your kids and sister. I know y'all love John Gomez, but he was a violent man. I wish I would have shot him in the leg, then he would be here. Those investigators were just trying to convict somebody. My gun had a hair trigger. Veronica told me to come and get my herb book and she went to the back of the closet. Her kids had asthma and I lent her the book. She said she would give it to me next time. She didn't want to break up; we still talked. She told me to come over. John Gomez said, 'Veronica does not have the money for your book, so don't come over.' Me being a hot shot I went over there, and I had my gun. I had children and nephews where I lived, so I had to keep my gun in my truck for self defense. Veronica invited me in her house, the kids were still awake, fixing to go to bed. I put the gun under my shirt and said hi to Josh and Cassandra. John Gomez was there. He told Veronica that 'he doesn't love you.' I didn't care ..."

Martinez's last statement was cut short as the lethal injection was administered. He was pronounced dead at 6:50 p.m.

By David Carson. Posted on 31 January 2009.
Sources: Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Texas Attorney General's Office, Associated Press, Fort Worth Star-Telegram.