Execution Report: Carl Blue

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A jury convicted Blue of capital murder in April 1995 and sentenced him to death. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed the conviction and sentence in December 1996.

In order for a capital murder defendant to be sentenced to death, the jury must find unanimously that the defendant is a future danger to society. At Blue's sentencing hearing in 1995, Dr. Walter Quijano, a psychologist, testified for the state that Blue, a black man, would be a future danger to society. Quijano's testimony at Blue's trial was not available for this report, but in June 1999, Texas Attorney General John Cornyn included Blue's case in a list of seven death penalty cases where Quijano testified that blacks and Hispanics are more likely to present a future danger. Following Cornyn's disclosure, a U.S. district court vacated Blue's death sentence.

Blue was given a new sentencing hearing. At that hearing, a psychiatrist testifying on Blue's behalf said that when "probable" is defined as "being more likely than not", Blue did not present a probable future danger to society. He estimated the statistical probability of Blue committing violent acts in the future as, "worst case ... 48 percent."

A second jury sentenced Blue to death in October 2001. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed that death sentence in October 2003. All of his subsequent appeals in state and federal court were denied. Included in these rulings were multiple claims by Blue's lawyers that their client was mentally retarded.

"I wish I could take it all back," Blue said in an interview from death row the day before his execution. "I'm not an evil person."

Blue said that while on death row, he found forgiveness through Jesus Christ and was able to come to terms with his conviction and sentence. "They can't touch my soul and my spirit," he said, calmly. "I'm going to the house of Jesus."

Blue said that he hoped to see Carmen Richards-Sanders in Heaven so he could tell her he was sorry and never meant to hurt her. "I'll always love her," he said.

Despite his attitude of acceptance, Blue did not agree that he should be put to death for his crime. "I should have to think about it the rest of my life [in prison]," he said. "I could use my time to help someone else."

On various web sites where prisoners solicit pen-pal requests, Blue called himself a "country boy" who enjoyed country music and horseback riding and had worked in rodeos. In the interview, he said he requested to be buried in a cowboy hat and boots. "Don't put me in no suit. I'm not going to no wedding," he joked.

While strapped to the execution gurney, Blue used his last statement to offer advice to the prison staff and witnesses. "I'm talking to each and every soul in this building, in this room," he said. "Get your life right. I don't hate nobody; you're doing what you think is your job. God's law is above this law." The lethal injection was then started.

Carmen Richards-Sanders daughter, Terrella Richards, watched Blue's execution from a witness room. "Hi Teri," he said to her. "I love you. I never meant to hurt your momma. If I could change that, I would ... I hope you can forgive me." He then expressed love to his parents, who watched from another room. "Tell my babies Daddy will be looking down on them from Heaven," he said referring to his 25-year-old daughter and 24-year-old son, who did not attend.

"I did something wrong, and now I'm paying the ultimate justice," the talkative condemned man continued. It may be crooked justice, but I forgive these people. So y'all hang on, cowboy up. I'm fixing to ride, and Jesus is my vehicle."

"Alright, Warden. Terrella, I feel it, baby," he said as the drugs began to take effect. He took several deep breaths, said "Love," then lost consciousness. He was pronounced dead at 6:56 p.m.

"I can move on with my life," Terrella Richards said after Blue was pronounced dead. "My journey has ended today."

By David Carson. Posted on 22 February 2013.
Sources: Texas Department of Criminal Justice, court documents, Associated Press, Bryan-College Station Eagle, Houston Chronicle, New York Times.