A killer told the family of a man he stabbed to death that he hopes his execution gives them “comfort” before telling the warden “I am ready to go” in his last words.
John Henry Ramirez was given a lethal injection at the Texas state's death chamber in Huntsville, after being sentenced to death for the fatal stabbing of Pablo Castro in Corpus Christi, in 2004.
Four of the victim’s children were listed as present at the execution as well as Ramirez’s wife Amanda.
He was pronounced dead at 6.41pm local time with a Christian pastor finally allowed to be present and lay his hands on him while praying.
Ramirez gave a last statement where he apologised to the family of his victim and he hopes that they can find “closure” over what happened.
He also expressed his love for his wife and son in a list of people while he signed off by saying “I fought a good fight and I am ready to go”.
He stated: “I just want to say to the family of Pablo Castro, I appreciate everything that y’all did to try and communicate with me through the Victim’s Advocacy program.
“I tried to reply back, but there is nothing that I could have said or done that would have helped you. I have regret and remorse, this is such a heinous act. I hope this finds you comfort, if this helps you then I am glad.
“I hope in some shape or form this helps you find closure.
“To my wife, my friends, my son, grasshopper, Dana and homies, I love y’all. Just know that I fought a good fight, and I am ready to go.
“I am ready warden.”
The execution took place seven months after the Supreme Court ruled 8-1 in Ramirez's favour in his case against the state of Texas, which rejected his request for pastoral touch and prayer while he dies. The decision bolsters the religious rights of condemned inmates.
The Ramirez case centered on religious protections under the US Constitution's First Amendment and a 2000 federal law that requires officials to show a compelling interest to deny a prisoner's religious-based request and to do so using the least restrictive means.
Texas defended its position by emphasizing its need to maintain security during the execution. Outsiders touching inmates in the execution chamber could inadvertently disrupt intravenous lines, and audible prayer could interfere with officials' ability to monitor for signs of distress, the state said.
Ramirez was sentenced to death in 2008 for the murder of Mr Castro, a father of nine who worked nights at a convenience store in the southern Texas city of Corpus Christi.
Seeking money to buy drugs, Ramirez stabbed Castro 29 times and made off with $1.25 on July 19, 2004, prosecutors said.
Ramirez has been a member of the Second Baptist Church in Corpus Christi and Pastor Dana Moore has regularly driven about 300 miles north to Livingston to pray with him in prison.
