The oldest Death Row inmate in the world has finally found out when he will die, more than 30 years after being sentenced to death.
Carl Wayne Buntion, 77, brutally murdered a police officer back in 1990.
But despite being told he wouldn't live longer than a year, red tape prevented his execution. Now he has been told he will finally die on April 21.
Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg confirmed: “He shot a policeman in the head more than 30 years ago, and it is time that he be held accountable for his horrific crime.”
Buntion shot and killed Houston police officer James Irby, 37, and was quickly found guilty.
The killer, who had an extensive criminal record already, shot the officer when he and a friend were pulled over for a traffic offence.
Buntion exited the car while the driver and officer were talking and shot him once in the head and twice in the back before being apprehended.
He was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to death in 1991.
Now, almost 32 years after the murder, his death has been ordered by a Houston state judge.
News of his imminent death has been welcomed by the family of officer Irby, including his widow Maura Irby.
Speaking to KPRC 2, she said the the family can now move forward, saying: “I just found out this morning that Carl Buntion is being executed. It’s been 30 years. We’ve been waiting for this.
"I wish James was here to see this. It is good to close the chapter on my husband’s murder. We can now put this away.”
It’s been a long time coming for Buntion’s sentence after the Court of Criminal Appeals vacated his death sentence in 2009.
This was short-lived though as a jury then returned him to death row in 2012 following a new sentencing trial.
Buntion’s lawyers appealed this decision in October 2021, but this was denied by the US Supreme Court.
