Texas

"No, sir. I've never struggled with that at all. The state of Texas has a very thoughtful, a very clear process in place of which -- when someone commits the most heinous of crimes against our citizens, they get a fair hearing, they go through an appellate process, they go up to the Supreme Court of the United States, if that's required.

But in the state of Texas, if you come into our state and you kill one of our children, you kill a police officer, you're involved with another crime and you kill one of our citizens, you will face the ultimate justice in the state of Texas, and that is, you will be executed."

Texas Governor Rick Perry

Walls Unit

Old Walls Unit

7:10p The lethal drugs took effect on George Rivas very quickly. He was pronounced dead at 6:22 p.m., 10 minutes after the injection began.

7:09p We've now received the full text of George Rivas' final statement:

First of all, for the Aubrey Hawkins family, I do apologize for everything that happened. Not because I am here, but for closure in your hearts. I really believe you deserve that.

To my wife, Cheri. I am so grateful you’re in my life. I love you so dearly.

Thank you to my sister and dear friend, Katherine Cox, my son and my family. Friends and family, I love you so dearly.

To my friends, all the guys on the row, you have my courtesy and respect.

Thank you to the people involved and the courtesy of the officers. I am grateful for everything in my life. To my wife, take care of yourself, I will be waiting for you. I love you, God bless.

I am ready to go.

7:07p Prior to his execution George Rivas told his new wife he loved her. "I am grateful for everything in my life. I love you. God bless. I am ready to go." Rivas was calm, smiling and appeared to be at peace with what was to follow.

6:31p Before being put to death, George Rivas said: "For Aubrey Hawkins' family, I apologized for everything that happened ... not because I'm here, but for closure in your hearts. I really believe you deserve that.

6:26p Texas 7 gang leader George Rivas was executed by lethal injection at 6:22 p.m. for the murder of Irving police Officer Aubrey Hawkins.

5:59p George Rivas will be strapped to a gurney, arms extended, and an IV for the lethal injection will be inserted in both arms. Once He's strapped down, the warden will call for witnesses to enter the two observation rooms.

5:58p Once witnesses are in place, guards will ask George Rivas if he wants to make a final statement. He said he did.

5:48p Guards move George Rivas from his holding cell, 15 feet to the execution chamber. The lethal injection procedure is scheduled to begin a few minutes after six o'clock.

5:22p One of George Rivas' four witnesses did not appear for his execution. Dallas County District Attorney Craig Watkins will attend instead.

5:03p Three drugs are used in the lethal injection cocktail. That used to cost about $86, but the price has recently skyrocketed to more than $1,300 because the state has been forced to resort to a more expensive substitute for one of the drugs being used.

5:01p "I met with him a few minutes ago along with the warden and the chaplain, and Rivas stated that he's... all these years he's made it clear that he's ready to go," said Jason Clark, a spokesman for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. "He did say that he was going to make a last statement." Rivas is said to have made several personal calls from a phone provided by the prison, He asked five friends to witness his lethal injection.

4:50p More than 15 Irving police officers are standing outside the Walls Unit where George Rivas will soon be executed for killing Irving Officer Aubrey Hawkins on Christmas Eve 2000.

4:42p The widow of Irving police Officer Aubrey Hawkins, who was killed by George Rivas, will not attend the execution. She told News 8 that she felt no closure after being present at the last execution of a Texas 7 gang member in 2009.

4:40p George Rivas was served barbequeue chicken for his final meal, just like the other inmates at the Walls Unit.

4:30p George Rivas' appeals have all been denied. Clemency is denied. The state says attorneys for the convicted killer do not plan a last-minute challenge to the scheduled 6 o'clock execution.

3:49p Texas no longer offers a special "last meal" to condemned inmates. At 4 o'clock, George Rivas will get the same meal the rest of the unit gets today.

2:48p WFAA photojournalist Taylor Lumsden is following five Irving Police Department vehicles en route to Huntsville to witness the execution of George Rivas.

12:47p Arriving at the Walls Unit, George Rivas goes to a holding cell 15 feet away from the death chamber. He is alone and unrestrained and can use a phone.

12:45p George Rivas will be fingerprinted and given a new white uniform upon arriving at the Walls unit following lunch for his scheduled 6 o'clock execution.

11:50a Guards will soon move George Rivas from Death Row about 40 miles to the Walls Unit for a scheduled 6 p.m. execution.

11:45a George Rivas spent this morning meeting with friends behind glass at Texas Death Row.

Doubt's End

Before I begin I would like to make it perfectly clear that the following is not a 'death wish' or whatever it might sound to those of a feint heart. They are simply (or not so simple) more of my open ramblings on the final grace that is death. Taboo to most but that is a pebble for you to swallow. Continue...


Doubt's End

Without wishing to worry readers too much, or be too morbid (which is my natural playground), these last few days I have touched (again) the mortal walls of my being and a few times imagined I was about to collapse and check out at any second. As per usual they have occurred in the early hours of the morning, death's favoured domain. Blame lies soley on my diet and lifestyle of course but at 41 I have very little desire to alter it, begging for a few more years in exchange for lettuce leaves and quiet nights. But enough on that, this isn't the reason I decided to smash my fingers on the keyboard today and roll my bones (and they will fall wherever they please not matter how soft or hard I throw the dice.)
I only want to say again that I am at complete peace however near (or far) the End (capital E) might be. I am almost convinced I will not be seeing a grand old age and this is fine, I am at no panic over it. Not for I the running blindly like a headless spook, trying vainly to scupper the mechanics of death. That is not how I want this soul to leave its bloated and satisfied shell. Of course it is not an easy task giving up ones life, and lungs will not quit and fold away like obedient puppies but when it finally arrives I expect my body to surrended to death with as little struggle as humanly possible. Afterall it is no stranger to me. I have lived under the spectral hood for many years due to my destructive habits and I almost feel at home within walls of sickness.
Sometimes when I touch certain areas of my body, I can almost feel quiet pangs and tender spots as if I could almost poke a hole through my skin. Now I might be being slightly over dramatic here but when im in my gargoyle state and riding the sombre waves of deep night where even owls dare not go, it isn't dramatic at all. Its extremely real and at any moment I expect the human bands to snap and plunge my spirit into eternity. A curious feeling to be trapped between in limbe, and that is what it is because when I experience these moments I don't feel part of neither life or death. I am on a 'step', never knowing where the next breath will take me.
Little point in putting down the foamy glass and steak because I would feel this way if I was monk living on fruit, water and prayer. Fate cannot be avoided, it is not a knight to be side-stepped as its lance points to your beating chest like a falcon gunning for rabbit. Ones habits and addictions matter not in the great circus and its not the oils of excess which kill a man but lack of energy in the human spark that strikes off the raging flint. We are clockwork. Mechanical soldiers marching in a world that Gods have long since sacked and when I am alone in the wrath of darkness I can feel it all unravel within. My eyes dim like a tired soul, my jaw throbs from the weight of prophecy and thighs aflame from lacy, gothic thoughts.

Execution of Pietro Caruso

Execution of Pietro Caruso - Italian chief of fascist police. Distressing images. Pietro Caruso was the co-organiser of the massacre in Fosse Ardeatine in 1944. This clip shows brief bits from his trial followed by his grisly execution by a firing squad in some unknown location in Italy.