Roy L. Pippin is Executed by the State of Texas
Roy was the Second Inmate in Two Days to Be Executed by Texas
Pippin was the second inmate to be executed by Texas in two days. Vincent Gutierrez was executed on Wednesday for killing an Air Force officer during a carjacking 10 years ago. Texas leads the nation in executions, and has executed 11 inmates since the beginning of the year.
Although Pippin stated publicly he would fight on the way to the execution chamber, he promised he would not hurt any of the guards. In his Huntsville death watch cell, the unit that proceeds with executions, Roy set his cell on fire in protest to his punishment. He ignited a pile of trash by sticking a wire in the electrical outlet, causing smoke to fill the cell. It was extinguished with a water hose.
Associated press writer, Michael Graczyk reported Pippin as saying "I charge the people of the jury, the trial judge, the prosecutor that cheated to get this conviction, I charge each and every one of you with the murder of an innocent man," Pippin said defiantly from the gurney, In a blanket statement meant for all the courts that heard his case, he added, "You will answer to your maker when God has found out that you have executed an innocent man. May God have mercy on your souls."
As reported, Pippin expressed love to his family and then asked for forgiveness from all the people of The United States for the poison I brought into the country I love. Please forgive me for my sins. If my murder makes it easier for everyone else, let the forgiveness be part of the healing." His final statement was "Go ahead Warden, murder me. Take me home Jesus."
Pippin openly admitted being involved with the Colombian Cartel, but denied being the trigger man throughout the whole incarceration, and right to the very end. Cousins Elmer and Fabio Bultrago where shot at close range over missing drug money.
Pippin protested the deplorable conditions and treatment while he was incarcerated at Texas's death row unit, Polunsky, by going on a hunger strike which lasted several weeks and resulted in a weight loss of over 25 pounds. He also filed appeals himself claiming lethal injection was cruel and unusual, which he lost.
As reported by Associated Press, Winston Cochran, a Houston Attorney who handled Pippen's earlier appeals stepped in to file late appeals to block the execution, stating "A guy shouldn't be facing the end game, with the death penalty looming, without the aid of counsel." The U.S. Supreme Court rejected three appeals challenging the Texas sentencing law and arguing the killings of the two men were ordered by Colombian drug lords, and that Pippen was under pressure at the time of the shootings.
"He got dragged into this, "Cochran said. "Basically it was kill or be killed. That could be considered mitigating."
Published by Dee
I am a prison activist/advocate writing about prison issues, hoping to make awareness, and bring reform. One out of every thirty-two people in the USA are currently on parole, probation or in prison. I am ow... View profile
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32 Comments
Post a CommentDarryl, these links don't work, at least not for me
It is so very very sad, and prisons are a multibillion dollar industry, fix the problem don't put bandaids on them, rehabiliate, keep them locked up, yes, but killing is not the answer, also it costs more to kill than to keep, great article again
Ahh Doreen I always agree with what you have to say.. We are on the same side here.. You are right when it comes to cost too..People do not realize how much "tax dollars" they spend on a capital trial as well as the execution. Being the greedy nation that we are, I am sure if people knew more about that, there would be less for the death penalty. It is just a shame people take people's lives in an effort to gratify their grief for their loss. So sad and pathetic... Great article as always............ see ya on Myspace..
I agree, that no matter who is the vivtim/s the same sentence should be carried out. But why death? Is it right to kill someone to teach society that killing is wrong? House them for life, after all it is cheaper. This way no mistake in killing an innocent.
had been the one who lost due to their crime? Very doubtful.
My 2 Cents Worth... I believe even the New Testament of the Bible speaks on the role of world governments being responsible for disposing of monstrous individuals. And I know beyond any doubt that if a heinous crime was committed against one of my own, the perp better hope he/she makes it to death row. Just being honest. But I do not believe the DP is always sentenced properly. There are cases which should not have ended the way they did. The thing is, when I feel that losing a family member is something I would want justice for, who is to say that my family member is more important than other lives that were taken in other cases? Okay, Pippen did/did not kill two drug dealers. If our courts had decided, "They were drug dealers, let's not sentence him as harshly," then it would no longer be justice. It would no longer be the democracy we strive to keep, nor would it herald basic human equality. Where are the gray areas? I don't know. I feel sorry for many of them also. But would I if I
Mr Pippin, I told you I'd do some remembering...and I did. Thank you, Ms Hawk.
Sherry, I agree!!
No matter the crime, I do NOT believe in the death penalty. To me it is barbaric and inhumane. I would like to see these people kept in barren rooms with no priveleges of any kind. I feel the families of victims should have the right to visit and share with the perpetrator how his actions have changed their lives.
Good article. I am 100% against the death penalty. Can't fight evil with evil. Once upon a time I wanted to be a prosecutor lol. ... peace to the families