This week in 2002

“…Get in church and get right with God. Jane, you know damn well I did not molest that kid of yours. You are murdering me and I feel sorry for you. Get in church and get saved. I really don’t know what else to tell you.”

— William Champpell, convicted of murder, lethal injection, Texas
Executed November 20, 2002

Fifty-one-year-old William Chappell was convicted of molesting a 3-year-old girl, and while the conviction was on appeal, he committed murder. Chappell received the death penalty for the retaliation killing of the girl’s aunt and grandmother. He shot the women in the face with a 9mm pistol to remove them as witnesses. He also shot the grandfather, who survived and identified Chappell as the offender. In addition, he attempted to burn down the victim’s home and threatened his former wife’s life because she testified against him.