Fifth TEXecution of 1997
T. Craig Shannon
HUNTSVILLE, Texas, April 14 (UPI) -- Texas prison officials have
executed Billy Joe Woods by injection, completing the state's fifth
execution of the year with little fanfare.
Woods was condemned for raping and fatally beating disabled cancer
patient Mabel Ehatt in Houston in 1975.
The 50-year-old Woods was pronounced dead at 6:30 p.m. No members of the
victims' family witnessed the execution and Woods offered no last
words, choosing instead to lie back and remain still while the lethal
chemicals were administered.
Woods' niece, Melissa Woods, sobbed and had to be supported during the
execution. She appeared near collapse and was helped from the viewing
chamber by Woods' attorney Paul Looney.
A small group of protestors carrying signs and battery-powered
bullhorns picketed outside in what has become a routine but vocal
protest at almost every Texas execution.
Woods is the 112th inmate put to death since Texas resumed executions in
1982.
The 63-year-old Ehatt was disabled by cancer and used a walker. Woods
was condemned for attacking her and hitting her in the head with a
frying pan during an Oct. 10, 1975, break-in at her Houston apartment.
Woods was captured by police at the victim's apartment. He had her
bracelet and a bottle of her pain medication in his possession.
User
"T. Craig Shannon" <sha...@world.std.com> wrote:
>
>HUNTSVILLE, Texas, April 14 (UPI) -- Texas prison officials have
>executed Billy Joe Woods by injection, completing the state's fifth
>execution of the year with little fanfare.
>
>Woods' niece, Melissa Woods, sobbed and had to be supported during the
>execution. She appeared near collapse and was helped from the viewing
>chamber by Woods' attorney Paul Looney.
>
Another new victim. just great.
Like the pun "Texecution", that could end up in the dictionary yet.
Irish national radio did a story on his execution ,. I didn't hear it but
I believe they took a report from the prison. The angle was that he was
the longest serving inmate on death row.
/conor