Execution Report: Ramiro Gonzales

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A jury found Gonzales guilty of capital murder in August 2006 and sentenced him to death. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed the conviction and sentence in June 2009.

Gonzales had previously been scheduled for execution on 13 July 2022. A few weeks beforehand, his lawyers requested a stay of execution so that he could donate a kidney. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals issued a stay of execution, but for a reason unrelated to that request. Instead, the stay was granted so that the trial court could review evidence that Dr. Gripon had changed his mind about Gonzales' future dangerousness and that he presented false or misleading data on recidivism rates at Gonzales' punishment hearing. After a hearing on these issues, the trial court reaffirmed the death sentence. All of Gonzales' subsequent appeals in state and federal court were denied.

No information about Gonzales actually making a kidney donation could be found for this report.

Gonzales' attorneys filed an appeal for clemency to the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles, stating that he became a Christian in 2006 and was "in almost every sense, a different person than he was when he killed Bridget Townsend in 2001." In a video submitted with his clemency petition, Gonzales admitted his guilt, expressed remorse for his actions, and spoke of his personal transformation.

A web site set up on Gonzales' behalf, www.saveramirogonzales.com, highlights his difficult childhood, which included abandonment, neglect, physical and sexual abuse, and constant exposure to drugs and alcohol. "Ramiro's deepening addiction led him to commit a series of drug-related criminal offenses culminating in the tragic kidnapping and murder of Bridget Townsend, his drug dealer's girlfriend," the site states.

David Townsend, the victim's brother, criticized Gonzales and those people working on his behalf to portray him as a person who deserved forgiveness. He stated that Gonzales' death sentence should be carried out so that his family can find peace and closure.

"He doesn't deserve mercy," Townsend's mother, Patricia Townsend, told a reporter the week before Gonzales' execution. "And his childhood should not have anything to do with it. I know a lot people that had a hard childhood ... He made his choice."

"I don't feel sorry for him at all and I don't want other people to feel sorry for him," Mrs. Townsend said.

Mrs. Townsend said for the nearly two years between her daughter's disappearance and Gonzales' confession, she spent most of her time putting up flyers and chasing leads. She said that the execution will be a "joyful occasion" for her and her family, who have been waiting so long for justice.

The parole board denied Gonzales' clemency petition two days before his execution by a 7-0 vote. The U.S. Supreme Court declined his final appeal at about 4:30 p.m. the day of his execution.

Gonzales was executed on what would have been Bridget Townsend's 42nd birthday. He used his last statement to apologize to his victim's family, who watched from a viewing room.

"To the Townsend family, I'm sorry. I can't articulate, I can't put into words the pain I have caused y'all, the hurt, what I took away that I cannot give back. I hope this apology is enough," Gonzales said in his last statement. "I never stopped praying that you would forgive me and that one day I would have this opportunity to apologize. I owe all of you my life and I hope one day you will forgive me. I'm sorry. Patricia, I'm sorry. David, I'm sorry. To all of your family, I'm sorry."

Gonzales then thanked his family for their support and thanked the warden and prison chaplain for "being so courageous, for making decisions to make this penal system better."

He finished with, "God bless you all. Warden, I'm ready." The lethal injection was then started. He was pronounced dead at 6:50 p.m.

"We have finally witnessed justice be being served," David Townsend said afterward, reading a prepared statement. "This day marks the end of a long and painful journey for our family."

"I do want to say we are not joyous. We are not happy. This is a very, very sad day for everyone all the way around," Townsend added.

By David Carson. Posted on 27 June 2024.
Sources: Texas Department of Criminal Justice, court documents, Associated Press, CNN.com, Huntsville Item, saveramirogonzales.com, USA Today.