This week in 2003

In French:
 “I love all of you. I love you Lundy, Levi, my dad. I have no grudges against anyone, or any of the things that have gone wrong. I would like to say to the world, I have always been a nice person. I have never been mean-hearted or cruel. I wish every body well.”

— Granville Riddle, convicted of murder, lethal injection, Texas.
Executed January 30, 2003

In his murder confession, Riddle said that while he did beat Ronnie Hood to death with a tire iron, he did it in self- defense. Riddle was also charged with robbing Hood’s house, stealing Hood’s wallet and pickup truck, which was found burned in a ravine. Prior to his arrest, Riddle had broken out of Potter County Jail during a substance abuse class. He was recaptured two days later with a .22 rifle, which he picked up from a previous robbery.