Execution of American Man in Texas for 2001 Murder
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An American man, Ramiro Gonzales, was executed in Texas for the 2001 rape and murder of Bridget Townsend. Gonzales, who was convicted in 2006 and sentenced to death, was pronounced dead via lethal injection at 6.50pm local time.
In his final statement, Gonzales expressed remorse to the Townsend family, acknowledging the pain and hurt he caused. The crime remained unsolved for 18 months until Gonzales confessed while in custody for a separate rape case.
Despite appeals to the US Supreme Court for a stay on his execution, Gonzales was not granted reprieve. His execution marks the second in Texas this year and the eighth in the United States. The country carried out 24 executions in 2023, all by lethal injection.
While the death penalty remains legal in some states, many have abolished or placed a moratorium on executions. Gonzales’ case highlights the ongoing debate surrounding capital punishment in the United States.