The Houston Chronicle, a print media outlet, sent a video crew to cover the execution of Kenneth Parr today (watch video). Parr became the 399th person executed in Texas since 1982. Link to article:
“I just want to tell my family I love y’all, man,” he said. He mentioned two brothers by name and said, “keep your head up, y’all. I’m ready.”
He never looked at the relatives of his victims, including her parents. His mother and other relatives sobbed uncontrollably as they watched him die and didn’t want to leave after Parr was pronounced dead at 6:20 p.m., nine minutes after the lethal dose began. Some of them pounded on the witness chamber window when prison officials covered Parr’s body with a sheet.
Prison officials said that despite Parr’s threats of violence, he was calm throughout his last day.
The next person facing execution in Huntsville is Johnny Ray Conner, who is scheduled for execution on August 22.