This week in 2003

“I did have, but now I see my family here and everything – all I want to say is I love you all so much.  I am innocent.  I love you all so much.  You are beautiful.  Okay Warden, I am through.”

— Richard Duncan, convicted of murder, lethal injection, Texas.
Executed December 3, 2003

Found dead in their home, Ruth and John High were victims of Duncan’s attempt to escape financial trouble for his failing software company.  In his murder conviction, stating that they were “mercy killings” on a count of John’s deteriorating health, Duncan attempted to make their murder look like a gas leak accident.  Duncan had been having a homosexual relationship with the High’s son, Gary High.  Together, they ran a software business called Hitech Microsystems.  Duncan believed that the death of Gary’s parents would allow him to receive his inheritance to pull them out of financial trouble.