Texas Executes Jamaal Howard in First U.S. Capital Punishment Since Christa Pike Case

A death row inmate was put to death via lethal injection on Wednesday night in Texas, marking the first capital punishment carried out in the United States since the botched attempt to execute Christa Pike in Tennessee last week.

According to CBS News, Howard’s legal team petitioned a court for a reprieve, citing the complications surrounding Pike’s recent execution.

However, the appeals were rejected, and Howard received a lethal dose of pentobarbital at the state prison facility in Huntsville. He was formally pronounced dead at 8:03 p.m. local time.

Howard was found guilty and sentenced to death for the 2000 killing of a convenience store clerk during an armed robbery.

His defense counsel contended that Howard faced similar risks because Texas intended to use the same medication—pentobarbital—that was utilized in Pike’s procedure. They further claimed that the state’s drug supply had deteriorated, an argument also raised by Pike’s legal team.

Following two lower court denials, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the appeal late Wednesday evening.

“Texas should not be eager to follow in Tennessee’s footsteps; a stay would keep that from happening,” Howard’s attorneys stated.

The defense also requested that Texas Governor Greg Abbott postpone the execution by 30 days to allow time for further verification regarding the pharmaceuticals used. The governor refused the request.

At the time of the shooting, Howard was 20 years old. He fatally wounded Vickie Swartout, 42, who was on duty at a Texas convenience store, and took a carton of cigarettes plus $114 from the register.

When given the opportunity for a final statement, Howard offered an apology to Swartout’s family, who observed the proceedings from a witness area.

“I wish that you accept my apology, and I wish for your forgiveness,” Howard said. “I’m sorry for what happened. I wish you can learn to forgive me one of these days.”

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