Execution Report: Rickey Lewis

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A jury convicted Lewis of capital murder in 1994 and sentenced him to death. The Texas Court of Criminal appeals reversed the death sentence in 1996 because of an error in the judge's instructions to the jury. Lewis was sentenced to death by a new jury in 1997. The TCCA affirmed that death sentence in June 1999.

In 2002, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that mentally retarded prisoners cannot be executed. Following that ruling, Lewis's attorneys filed appeals stating that their client was retarded. After an evidentiary hearing, a state district judge determined in February 2005 that Lewis was not retarded. A federal court affirmed this finding, but in August 2008, the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals sent the case back down for further consideration. The lower court once again found that Lewis was not retarded in a ruling that was subsequently upheld by the Fifth Circuit. Final appeals to the U.S. Supreme Court and the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles were denied.

Lewis declined to be interviewed by the media while on death row.

On a web site operated by Canadian death penalty opponents, Lewis stated that neither the DNA evidence found at the crime scene nor Hilton's description of the perpetrators matched him. Lewis also stated that according to the state pathologist's testimony of the bullet wound angle and height on the murder victim, the person who shot Newman was 5 feet 10 inches tall, whereas he was only 5 foot 3.

In an interview the week before Lewis's execution, Connie Hilton said she was still afraid. "There's still a lot of fear in the back of my mind because the other two men never were caught," she said. "You never know if there's going to be retaliation."

Hilton had no idea who the other perpetrators were. "He's never told anyone, and as far as I know, nobody knows. On the other hand, if he were to tell who was with him, that would confirm his guilt, and he's not going to do that."

Lewis addressed Hilton in his last statement at his execution. "Ms. Connie Hilton, I'm sorry for what happened to you," he began. "If I hadn't raped you, then you wouldn't have lived. If you look at the transcripts, I didn't kill Mr. Newman and I didn't rob your house. There are two people still alive. I was just there. When I saw you in the truck driving away, I could have killed you but I didn't. I'm not a killer. My momma was abused. I'm sorry for what you've gone through. It wasn't me that harmed and stole all of your stuff. If you look at the transcripts you will see. I ask the good Lord to forgive me."

Lewis then thanked his friends for their love and support and asked them to "get the transcripts, let the truth come out so that I do not die in vain."

"I thank the Lord for the man I am today," he continued. "I have done all I can do to better myself, to learn to read and write. Take me to my King."

"OK, let me rest," Lewis concluded. The lethal injection was then started. Lewis said he could feel the drug taking effect in his throat. He also mentioned a burning sensation in his arm and said he felt dizzy. He then lost consciousness. He was pronounced dead at 6:32 p.m.

By David Carson. Posted on 10 April 2013.
Sources: Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Texas Attorney General's office, court documents, Associated Press, Huntsville Item, Tyler Morning Telegraph, ccadp.org.