This week in 2004
“…I would like to clear some things up if I could. Tommy Perkins, the man that got a capital life sentence for murdering Kinslow— he did not do it. I did it. He would not even have had anything to do with it if he had known I was going to shoot the man. He would not have gone with me if he had known. I was paid to shoot the man. And Martin, the younger boy, did not know what it was about. He thought it was just a robbery. I am sorry for that. It was nothing personal. I was trying to make a living…I am sorry for all the grief I have caused. I love you all. That is all I have to say.”
— Billy Vickers, convicted of murder, lethal injection,Texas.
Executed January 28, 2004
Vickers had multiple convictions for robbery, arson, and gun possession dating back to 1967. In his final statement, he confessed to the murders of more than a dozen men other than the grocery store owner he was executed for shooting to death during a botched robbery in 1993.
This week in 1997
“Not from me but I have a message to you from God. Save the children. Find one who needs help and make a small sacrifice of your own wealth and save the innocent ones. They are the key for making the world a better place.”
— Richard Brimage JR., convicted of rape and murder, lethal injection, Texas.
Executed February 10, 1997
Brimage, an electrician and Washington State native, received the death penalty for abducting and murdering a woman in October 1987. Brimage lured the woman into his residence before sexually assaulting her, then strangling and suffocating her with a sock.
This week in 2000
“I’m sorry, and I really mean that, it’s not just words. My life is all I can give. I stole two lives and I know it was precious to y’all. That’s the story of my whole, that’s what alcohol will do for you. Oh Jesus, Lord God, take me home. Precious Lord. Take me home Lord. Take me home. Yes, sir. Take me home oh Lord.”
— James Moreland, convicted of murder, lethal injection, Texas.
Executed January 27, 2000
In October 1982, Moreland hitched a ride with Clinton Abbott and John Cravey, and the pair took him to Cravey’s trailer home. The three men had been drinking heavily, and Moreland said when Cravey made sexual advances to him, he panicked and stabbed both men to death. Moreland never denied the crimes; as soon as police questioned him he confessed.
