Execution Report: Gregory Russeau

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A jury found Russeau guilty of capital murder in October 2002 and sentenced him to death. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed the conviction in June 2005, but vacated his death sentence and ordered a new sentencing hearing because the trial court admitted statements about his jail and prison disciplinary record at his punishment hearing without affording Russeau the opportunity to cross-examine anyone who witnessed his alleged offenses.

Another jury imposed a new death sentence in April 2007. The TCCA upheld that sentence in July 2009. All of Russeau's subsequent appeals in state and federal court were denied.

In an interview with a British television reporter while on death row, Russeau said that his all-white jury "didn't understand what was going on" and found him guilty based on him being "an African-American drug user."

For his last meal, Russeau was served a baked pork chop, macaroni and cheese, green beans, mixed vegetables, black-eyed peas, and cornbread, with a choice of tea, punch, or water to drink.

In his last statement, Russeau thanked his family and friends for their support. He thanked three friends who attended his execution "for being here with me so I do not have to transition alone." He then said, "I'm at peace, I'm good. I'm ready to go home." The lethal injection was then started. He was pronounced dead at 6:49 p.m.

By David Carson. Posted on 19 June 2015.
Sources: Texas Department of Criminal Justice, court documents, Associated Press, Channel 4 (Britain), dailymail.co.uk.