James Autry
James David Autry | |
|---|---|
| Status | Executed |
| Occupation | Laborer |
| Conviction(s) | 2 counts capital murder |
| Criminal penalty | Death by lethal injection |
James David Autry (September 27, 1954 – March 14, 1984[1]) was a convicted murderer in the U.S. state of Texas, executed by lethal injection.
Autry had been convicted of shooting 43-year-old Port Arthur convenience store clerk, Shirley Droust,[2] between the eyes with a .38 caliber pistol on April 20, 1980.[1] He then shot two witnesses in the head, one of whom, Joe Broussard,[2] a former Roman Catholic priest, died instantly, while the other, Anthanasios Svarnas, a Greek seaman,[2] survived but was left with permanent brain damage.[1] The crime had been committed with John Alton Sandifer, Autry's roommate.[2] Although no money was missing from the cash register, a carton of beer valued at $2.70 was missing.[2]
In October 1983, he had been strapped in the gurney in the execution chamber, with the needles in his arms, when a stay of execution came through.[3] He would be later executed on March 14, 1984, in the second execution in Texas since the reintroduction of the death penalty in the state after Gregg v. Georgia.
He declined to make a final statement but did request a last meal of a hamburger, French fries, and a Dr Pepper.[4]
See also
References
- ^ a b c "James Autry Offender information." Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
- ^ a b c d e "James Autry." prodeathpenalty.com.
- ^ "When someone is executed by lethal injection, do they swab off the arm first?" The Straight Dope.
- ^ Final Meal Requests. Texas Department of Criminal Justice (September 12, 2003). Archived from the original on December 2, 2003. Retrieved on November 17, 2007.