Texas executed convicted murderer Ramiro Gonzalez by lethal injection on Wednesday evening after the U.S. Supreme Court rejected his appeal, according to multiple reports.
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice confirmed that Gonzalez, 41, was given a lethal dose of pentobarbital at the state prison in Huntsville and was pronounced dead at 6:50 p.m. according to The Texas Tribune reported that Gonzalez was killed. After his death, authorities said the 41-year-old suspect released a final statement apologizing for the murder of 18-year-old Bridget Townsend, according to the Associated Press. (Related article: Number of executions worldwide rises to highest level in 10 years)
“Words cannot express the pain I have caused you, the hurt I can never undo,” Gonzalez said. “I hope this apology is enough. I have lived the rest of my life doing everything in my power to make amends, to heal and to account for you.”
“I kept praying that you would forgive me and that I would be given the chance to apologize someday.”
In 2006, Gonzalez, who was serving a life sentence for the kidnapping and rape of Florence Teich, was convicted of Townsend's rape and murder and sentenced to death.
Holding rooms for inmates awaiting execution on Texas Death Row in Huntsville, Texas, June 23, 2000. (Photo: Joe Raedle/Newsmakers)
During Townsend's trial for the brutal murders, psychiatrist Dr. Edward Gripon suggested that Gonzalez could commit a similar crime in the future if he lived. according to “I was not aware of Gonzales' identity,” Gripon told The New York Times. But in a recent report, the paper reported that Gripon wrote that he no longer stood by his account that he did not believe Gonzales was a threat.
In addition to striking out Gripon's testimony, Gonzalez's lawyers also petitioned the court to say that the 41-year-old's past history no longer poses a potential danger to the public, given his commitment to his Christian faith while ministering to others in prison, according to the Associated Press. Despite the petition, the Supreme Court rejected their request without any dissent.
Additionally, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles voted 7-0 on Monday to deny clemency to Gonzalez.
Townsend's mother, Patricia, spoke out against Gonzalez's appeal of the death penalty, saying he endured physical and sexual abuse throughout his childhood, according to USA Today.
“He doesn't deserve mercy,” Patricia told the outlet. “His childhood had nothing to do with it. I know a lot of people who had difficult childhoods… he chose it.”
