The last words of rapist and murderer Rodrigo Hernandez, 38, before he was executed Thursday, January 26, 2012, for the strangulation of Susan Verstegen in 1994 were:
“I want to tell everybody that I love everybody.We are all family, people of God almighty. We're all good. I'm ready....This stuff stings, man.”
Here are the last offical words (as recorded by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice) of San Antonio and Bexar Country area Texas Death Row inmates just before their execution this past decade.
March 11, 2010
Offender:
Last Statement:
I do, I want to address you, I am sorry. I don't know who you are. I am sorry I put you through some things that I can't take back. I am sorry. This isn't going to change anything. Sorry for putting you through this. This is creating more victims. I am sorry, I put you through this. I love you man, I love you. This is not gonna change anything. This person shoe did that 10 years ago isn't the same person you see today. I hurt a lot of people with decisions I made. I can't be more sorry than I am right now. I hurt the Lopes family, let this be a lesson. Your decisions affect everybody. Look after your sister for me. I am always gonna be with you. I love you too Shay I love you if your listening I am sorry to be putting everybody through this. This is the end of this, time to move on. I hope this brings you peace, I am sorry. I told your sister my last words. Danielle, you know that I love you. You know that you have my heart, I've enjoyed these times. I love you little hef.
October 27, 2009
Offender:
Blanton, Reginald
Last Statement:
Yes I do. I know ya'lls pain, believe me I shed plenty of tears behind Carlos. Carlos was my friend. I didn't murder him. This what is happening right now is an injustice. This doesn't solve anything. This will not bring back Carlos. Ya'll fought real hard here to prove my innocence. This is only the beginning. I love each and everyone dearly. Dre My queen. I love you. Yaws, Junie I love yall. Stay strong, continue to fight. They are fixing to pump my veins with a lethal drug the American Veterinary Association won't even allow to be used on dogs. I say I am worse off than a dog. They want to kill me for this; I am not the man that did this. Fight on. I will see ya'll again. That's all I can say.
March 11, 2009
Offender:
Salazar, Luis Cervantes
Last Statement:
Yes, I do. Thank you for your friendship Reverend Whiteside and thank you for your fellowship. God help me to say this statement correctly.
I would like to say goodbye to mom and my brother, brother, sister, Chelsea, Danny, Johnny, Tito and Sylvia. My heart goes is going ba bump ba bump ba bump. I love my children, Roxanne, Roseanne, Melissa, and Louis. I miss them; I will take them with me in my heart. I will keep them in my heart. Thank you Mrs. Dyson for praying for me and everyone that has been praying for me. God loves everybody and myself. I can't say this correctly. Let's see. That's all right. I guess that's it. Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed by thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. Lord Jesus forgive of my sins, please forgive me for the sins that I can remember.
February 4, 2009
Offender:
Martinez, David
Last Statement:
Yes, nothing I can say can change the past. I am asking for forgiveness. Saying sorry is not going to change anything. I hope one day you can find peace. I am sorry for all of the pain that I have caused you for all those years. There is nothing else I can say, that can help you.
Mija, I love you. Sis, Cynthia, and Sandy, keep on going and it will be O.K. I am sorry to put you through this as well. I can't change the past. I hope you find peace and know that I love you. I am sorry. I am sorry and I can't change it.
January 21, 2009
Offender:
Frank Moore
Last Statement:
I would like to say that Capital self defense is not Capital Murder.
I would like to make a statement to my wife and family, thank you for your support. I love you Roxanne, Kaye. Thank you Saint Gabriel's Church. Sylvia I appreciate you and thank you.
All right Warden.
(After the official last statement ended, he said I love you Mom.)
October 16, 2008
Offender:
Watts, Kevin #999456
Last Statement:
Yes. I appreciate everybody for their love and support. You all keep strong, thank you for showing me love and teaching me how to love. Forgive me, Lord. Ya’ll forgive me, remember me. For everybody incarcerated, keep your heads up. For my family, keep your heads up. I never stopped loving ya’ll. Stay strong and keep fighting, it’s not over yet. I love you all. I am out of here. I am gone. Keep me in your hearts.
September 20 , 2007
Offender:
Clifford Allan Kimmel
Last Statement:
Offender declined to make a last statement.
August 29, 2007
Offender:
Amador, John
Last Statement:
God forgive them, God forgive them for they know not what they do. After all these years my people are still lost in hatred and anger. Give them peace God for people seeking revenge towards me. I love you guys, I love you guys. God give them peace. I love you Chiquita. Peace, Freedom, I'm ready.
March 28, 2007
Offender:
Vincent Gutierrez
Last Statement:
I do, I would like to tell everybody that I'm sorry about the situation that happened. My bad - everybody is here because of what happened. I'd like to thank everybody that's been here through the years. The little kids overseas - they really changed me. Sister Doris, mom, brothers, sister, dad; I love ya'll. My brother... where's my stunt double when you need one? My Lord is my life and savior, nothing shall I fear.
January 17, 2007
Offender:
Jonathan Moore
Last Statement:
Jennifer, where are you at? I'm sorry, I did not know the man but for a few seconds before I shot him. It was done out of fear, stupidity, and immaturity. It wasn't until I got locked up and saw the newspaper. I saw his face and his smile and I knew he was a good man. I am sorry for all your family and my disrespect - he deserved better. Sorry Gus. I hope all the best for you and your daughters. I hope you have happiness from here on out. Quit the heroin and methadone. I love you dad, Devin, and Walt. We're done Warden.
September 21, 2004
Offender:
Andrew Flores
Last Statement:
Yes sir. Today I go home to the Lord. But first, I have to say something. I am real sorry. I took family member's life and I shouldn't have. I hope that you can move on. I am just sorry. I don't know what else to say. I can't bring anyone back. I would if I could. I hope you will be fine. I won't ask for your forgiveness. God will be my judge. To my family and friends, I love you all. You all take care and somebody find Void. Be strong and I will see you all; hopefully not soon. Keep your head up. That is all I have to say.
June 11, 2003
Offender:
Kia Johnson #999139
Last Statement:
Tell Mama I love her and tell the kids I love them, too. I'll see you all.
June 26, 2001
Offender:
Miguel Richardson #691
Last Statement:
I love you, I love everyone, I go out with great love and respect. This is a great day to pass on. This so called dying. This is a great day to approach this glorious event. Approach the present. (mumbling) Thy will be done. (more mumbling) I love you all. Don't waste your time arguing and bickering. God loves you all. All that really matters is love. Love is the only thing for us. There is no closure without love. Forgive one another. You got to learn how to forgive and embrace one another. Be one. Our love is just like...it is the nectar of God. We have so much to give when we give out of our hearts. The hear is the wishing well that waters the tree. I wish and desire one thing. I wish only the best for all of you. (unknown tongues) I love the love in every man and child. Mankind is my family and tribe. I am ready grumah. A poet once said, "...is my country. There is no separation between you and me There is no enemies, only family. I am a minister of love. I go out loving everyone and everything. God bless my...country. I shed tears of love may they nourish everyone. Stop killing start loving. Stop the violence. Let my death change society. You don't need any more killing. You don't need any minimum, maximum security, death row. You don't need the death penalty. We need more loving fathers and mothers. It is a good day to die. Take me God, Hold me in yours and carry me home.
February 10, 1999
Offender:
George Cardova #706
Last Statement:
For the pain I have caused you. I am ashamed to even look at your faces. You are great people. To my brothers on Death Row. Mexico, Mexico…(Spanish).
October 1, 1998
Offender:
Javier Cruz #999061
Last Statement:
Thank you for setting me free. God bless you all. I love you, Miguel. Take care of my angel, Leslie. Love, Javier Cruz
April 22, 1998
Offender:
Joseph John Cannon #634
Last Statement:
I am sorry for what I did to your mom. It isn’t because I’m going to die. All my life I have been locked up. I could never forgive what I done. I am sorry for all of you. I love you all.Thank you for supporting me. I thank you for being kind to me when I was small.Thank you, God.
All right
Note: Examiner Jack Dennis was the private investigator assigned by Bexar County to attorney William G. Brown in the original Joseph John Cannon trial.
For free email alerts for new articles by Jack Dennis, click “Subscribe” above. Jack can be reached at jackdennistexas@yahoo.com. Twitter: Texasjackson
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