This week in 2001

“Yes, sir. Where’s Mr. Marino’s mother? Did you get my letter? Just wanted to let you know, I sincerely meant everything I wrote. I am sorry for the pain. I am sorry for the life I took from you. I ask God for forgiveness and I ask you for the same. I know it may be hard, but I’m sorry for what I did. To my family I love each and every one of you. Be strong. Know my love is always with you . . . always…Jesus, I confess you as my Lord and Savior. I know when I die, I’ll have life in heaven and life eternal everlasting. I am ready for that mansion that you promised me.”

— Gerald Mitchell, convicted of robbery and murder, lethal injection, Texas.
Executed October 22, 2001

In his young life, Mitchell had been arrested for burglary and taking a pistol to school, served time in a juvenile detention center, and allegedly fathered seven children with six women prior to his death sentence.

Shortly after robbing one man and killing another, Mitchell shot a third man to death, saying, “Raise your hands white boy, you don’t want to die with your hands down.” While he was on death row, Mitchell’s father was shot to death, his brother was pinned for a felony bank robbery, and his mother was put on probation for drugs. On death row, Mitchell said, “I was full of hate, full of rage. I really can’t explain why. I was attracted to the wild side, the street life where you’re trying to make a name for yourself.”