Execution Report: Robert Harris

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A jury convicted Harris of the murders of Augustin Villasenor and Rhoda Wheeler in September 2000 and sentenced him to death. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed the conviction and sentenced in February 2003.

In his appeals, Harris's attorneys argued that he was mentally retarded and/or mentally disabled. He underwent a court-ordered psychological examination in 2010. All of his appeals in state and federal court were denied.

Harris declined to speak with reporters while on death row. He agreed to a television interview a few weeks before his execution, but instead of meeting with the reporter, he crawled under a shelf in the visiting area and had to be removed by officers.

In his last statement, Harris expressed love and comfort to his brother and three friends who attended his execution. "I'm going home. I'm going home," he said. He did not look in the direction of the friends and relatives of his victims, who watched from another room. "Don't worry about me," he said. "I'll be alright. God bless, and the Texas Rangers, Texas Rangers." The lethal injection was then started. He was pronounced dead at 6:43 p.m.

By David Carson. Posted on 21 September 2012.
Sources: Texas Attorney General's office, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, court documents, Associated Press.