Execution Report: Jose De La Cruz

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Following his sentencing, De la Cruz announced in a news conference that he was ready to die and would not appeal his case. He subsequently appealed his conviction, but after one of his federal appeals was rejected in 1998, he asked that no more appeals be filed on his behalf.

"I've already made amends with myself," De la Cruz said in an interview from death row. "I'm at total peace with my case. I'm not innocent. That man had every right to live, just like I did."

He said he became addicted to inhaling spray paint at age ten and that this led to his criminal behavior.

De la Cruz had no visits from relatives during his last months on death row. He spent his final 36 hours sleeping, watching television, and reading. He declined a last meal. No one attended his execution on his behalf.

De la Cruz declined to make a last statement at his execution. The lethal injection was given, and he was pronounced dead at 6:23 p.m.

By David Carson. Posted on 16 May 2016.
Sources: Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Associated Press, Huntsville Item.