Murderer Ramiro Gonzales was executed by lethal injection in Texas on Wednesday, despite multiple appeals to the US Supreme Court, including an attempt to donate a kidney and arguments that he was ineligible for the death penalty.
The 41-year-old was pronounced dead at 6:50 p.m., the state criminal justice department reported. He was convicted and sentenced to death in 2006 for sexually assaulting and killing 18-year-old Bridget Townsend.
In his final statement, Gonzales repeatedly apologized to Townsend’s family, expressing deep remorse for his actions and saying he continued to pray for their forgiveness, CNN reported.
“I can’t put into words the pain I have caused y’all … I hope this apology is enough. I lived the rest of this life for you guys to the best of my ability for restitution, restoration, taking responsibility,” Gonzales said. “I never stopped praying that you would forgive me and that one day, I would have this opportunity to apologize.”
Prior to his execution, jurors had to determine the “probability” that Gonzales would continue to commit violent acts, a requirement under Texas law for a death-penalty sentence.
Gonzales’ attorneys argued that his behavior during his time in prison — including attempts to donate a kidney to a stranger, his strong Christian faith and his ministry to other inmates — demonstrated he was no longer a threat.
“Ramiro not only has disproven the jury’s prediction – he has never committed a single act or threat of violence since he was sentenced to death in 2006 – but in fact actively contributes to prison society in exceptional ways. He should not be executed,” his lawyers Thea Posel and Raoul Schonemann stated Monday.
They previously attempted to gain a delay on the execution when it was discovered Gonzales had a rare B blood type and wanted to donate a kidney to to help save a life, according to CNN.
The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles on Monday voted 7-0 against recommending clemency.
The state claimed the eligibility requirement had been misconstrued and that Gonzales’ threat level was not limited to his behavior while behind bars.
