Execution Report: Charles Rector

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Rector's capital murder trial was held in Bell County. The state could not introduce Simon's confession, because there was no chance to cross-examine him. The state did present evidence the testimony of Arnold and the other witnesses. A jury convicted him of capital murder in August 1982 and sentenced him to death.

Miller was tried for murder and was acquitted. He was released from parole in 1983.

While on Death Row in 1983, Rector was stabbed by fellow inmate Jay Kelly Pinkerton in the back and upper chest with a homemade shank. In 1986, he attempted to commit suicide by cutting his neck and both arms with a razor blade.

Rector's appellate attorney, Roy Greenwood, stated that the state did not prove Rector's guilt at his trial, but that intense public pressure caused the court to take shortcuts. Greenwood admitted that Rector participated in the robbery, but said he left before Davis was abducted. He claimed Rector returned to the apartment to look for his co-defendants.

Rector claimed he was innocent of Davis's murder. In an interview from Death Row the week before his execution, he said he turned down an offer to plead guilty in exchange for a life sentence.

"I'm not sorry to have not taken the life sentence," he said. "I'd rather die than say I'm guilty."

"It's not my crime," he continued. "It's not my nature to kill for blue jeans. Come on, it would take an animal to kill for a pair of blue jeans."

Rector's sister, Gigi Edwards, attended his execution. His other witnesses were a cousin, Charles Banks, and former Dallas Cowboys player Thomas "Hollywood" Henderson. Five members of Davis's family were also there.

"I want you do know that I am not guilty," Rector said in his last statement. He turned his head and looked at the victim's family and said, "And I will say this to the family: I did not kill your daughter. Take it the way you want. Sorry for the pain. He also told his sister that he loved her and thanked Henderson for his support. The lethal injection was then started. He was pronounced dead at 6:22 p.m.

By David Carson. Posted on 8 June 2016.
Sources: Texas Department of Criminal Justice, court documents, Associated Press, Austin American-Statesman, Front Page Detective.