Execution Report: James Moreland

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Moreland had two previous felony convictions for burglary -- one in Texas and the other in Florida. He received five years' probation in both cases. He denied having a drug or alcohol problem, but he did admit to several drinking-related arrests and to attending a drug abuse center in Florida for a month.

In July 1983, a jury convicted Moreland of the capital murder of Clinton Abbott and sentenced him to death. He was not tried for Cravey's murder. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed the conviction and sentence in January 1993. All of his subsequent appeals in state and federal court were denied.

"I believe I'm going home," Moreland said in his last statement. He expressed love to his father and apologized to the victims' families. "I'm sorry, and I really mean that, it's not just words. My life is all I can give. I stole two lives and I know it was precious to ya'll. That's the story of my whole life. That's what alcohol will do for you. Oh Jesus, Lord God, take me home." He was pronounced dead at 6:21 p.m.

By David Carson. Posted on 20 June 2002. Typographical and wording error in last statement corrected on 22 July 2015.
Sources: Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Texas Attorney General's Office, Associated Press.