Execution Report: Vaughn Ross

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A jury convicted Ross of capital murder in September 2002 and sentenced him to death. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed the conviction and sentence in May 2004. All of his subsequent appeals in state and federal court were denied. The theme of his appeals was that Ross's trial lawyers failed to present an adequate mitigation defense - that is, to present evidence and testimony showing that Ross did not deserve the death penalty. Ross, however, had instructed his family and friends not to cooperate with his lawyers.

In contrast with the typical person who is sent to death row, many of whom did not finish high school, Ross was a graduate student at Texas Tech University, studying for a doctor's degree in architecture. Birdsall was an associate dean at the university.

Douglas Birdsall's son, Nathaniel, said after the trial and again before Ross's execution that he and his father did not believe in the death penalty.

Roger Birdsall, the victim's brother, attended Ross's execution, but declined to speak with reporters. He was the only friend or relative of either the victims or the killer who attended; the other witnesses were a Lubbock police detective, members of the news media, and prison officials.

"Who are they?" Ross asked, looking at the observers. Despite there being no one there on his behalf, Ross said, "I know this is hard for y'all, but we are going to have to go through it ... We know the lies that were told against me in court. We know it's not true. I want y'all to be strong and keep going." He said he did not fear death.

After Ross completed his last statement, the lethal injection was started. He was pronounced dead at 6:38 p.m.

By David Carson. Posted on 19 July 2013.
Sources: Texas Attorney General's office, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, court documents, Associated Press, Huntsville Item, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal.