Execution Report: Moises Mendoza

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A jury found Mendoza guilty of capital murder in June 2005 and sentenced him to death. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed the conviction and sentence in November 2008. All of his subsequent appeals in state and federal court were denied.

Pam O'Neil, the victim's mother, watched Mendoza's execution from a viewing room adjacent to the death chamber with other family members. Avery Tolleson, the victim's daughter, did not attend.

In his last statement, Mendoza apologized to Tolleson's family, calling each person by his or her name. "To Avery, who I know is not here, I robbed you of a mother. I'm sorry for that," he said. He then thanked his loved ones and said he was at peace. Switching to Spanish, he said, "Don't kill them with kindness; heal them with kindness and love. Always love, love, love." He closed by saying, "Thank you, Warden," in English. The lethal injection was then started. He was pronounced dead at 6:40 p.m.

Afterward, O'Neil read a statement to reporters: "He's been on Death Row twenty years. That ended today. He was put to sleep. He felt no pain. I wish I could say the same about my daughter's death."

By David Carson. Posted on 9 May 2025. Five missing words added on 28 May 2025.
Sources: Texas Department of Criminal Justice, court documents, Associated Press.