You can tell he's very athletic and considering he was only 14 when he made this show, he put in a remarkable performance. While Billy seemed to be in total control, I was starting to spin out-of-control with a certain "makes me wanta holler" anger and frustration. Texas Attorney General Media Advisory The doctor came in and pronounced him dead. Most of these words came from Billy who was interrupted occasionally with the details of his impending execution. Who would have thought it would have taken 24 years to get to this moment? The show that has invited an HMO to a funeral, put a 24-hour Web cam on Lucianne Goldberg and earned a restraining order from the CEO of the biggest polluter in America this time recruited some like-minded actors/activists from Houston's maverick theater company Infernal Bridegroom Productions and descended on Huntsville. The law, being the law, and being so rigorously applied in Texas somehow qualifies Governor Bush as being competent, desirable, admirable and, damn it man, tough enough to become King of the Hill in Washington come November, even if he was never a POW -- even in Midland, Texas where everyone does hard time. In prison, he has operated his own business, Happy Horse Enterprises. William F. Buckley would not agree. He offered cans of ginger ale, passed out foam fingers and praised George W. Bush. Clements agreed They are executing an innocent man because things did not happen as they say they happened, and the truth will come out some day. A correctional officer wanted to know his request for his last meal. Re: What Happened??? I then asked about the role of the physician in the execution. As he approached the vehicle, Hughes -- wanted for theft by credit card -- opened fire. Ronald Richardson, the supervisor of the firearms section in the DPS Scientific Crime Laboratory, tested the bullet that struck Trooper Frederick and established that it had been fired from the 9 millimeter handgun recovered from Hughes when he was captured. [7] Wales Hughes's mother died in May 1869, when he was six years old, he was really sad and stayed at home for 2 months. Florida oranges, Texas cactus We kill convicts just for practice! The execution was scheduled for 6 PM. There was an orientation for witnesses at 3 PM. Hughes's conviction was automatically appealed to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals and was affirmed in a published opinion. Hughes then headed into the Carolinas where he repeated his traveler's check scheme. was punished to the full extent of the law after having one of the Billy E. Hughes was born on November 28, 1948 and died on December 20, 2005. As the antis struggled to maintain their circle vigil, the pros turned into fans at a football game. Citizens United for the Rehabilitation of Errants, or CURE organization, Today, as I reflect on this almost six weeks ago, what comes through to me is that yes, I will never be the same after this execution. My conscience required me to." I knew Billy Hughes and counted him as a friend. murder victim, his family, and for the family of Billy George Hughes, the out lying like he did," she said, adding that she felt Hughes' statement He had hanged himself in his log cabin home in Davidson County, Tennessee. It doesn't have to be. Go, Texas Go!" Billy Dale Hughes Jr. has been charged with first-degree felony theft over $300,000 following a joint investigation between the Taylor Police Department and the Texas Rangers, says the City of . think it is likely that is how the family felt about it." But it seems long ago when I visited Billy the morning of his execution at the Ellis Unit. Nah, nah, nah, nah Nah, nah, nah, nah Hey, hey, hey, Good-bye. In fact, composure and "extra mile" consideration seemed to permeate the day as the prison staff went about the ritual of the execution. I would gladly trade the last 24 years if it would bring back Mark Frederick--give him back his life, give back my father his life and my mother her health. that was extraordinary. ABOLISH Archives (Scripps Howard News Service). Another officer tapped him on the shoulder to make certain his commissary account would be entirely erased. Trooper Reichert then called for assistance and tended to Trooper Frederick; however, Reichert could find no pulse. Following a punishment hearing, Hughes was sentenced to death. humor.". At this stage, with the delays in carrying out capital sentences, the deterrent question is moot.". mother her health," he continued. Hughes left Louisiana for Texas, staying in Beaumont, Texas, on the night of April 2, 1976. There was an orientation for witnesses at 3 PM. The next day, Hughes bought a suit, a pair of boots, a cane, a shotgun, and some shells with another stolen check. Hughes also claimed to have kidnapped two small children. They believe that overseeing (even through mission) the highest number of executions and amassing the most money in any presidential race in U.S. is so impressive to the rest of us that life as these self-styled compassionate conservatives know it will go on, relatively undisturbed and forever unchallenged -- my debt to society, I am due a rebate and a refund, but I love you all, God be with you. shouted a particularly rabid member of Justice for All. Hughes immediately sped away from the scene as Trooper Reichert fired six times at the fleeing vehicle. unsuccessful appeals that ended with the U.S. Supreme Court rejecting Following a punishment hearing, Hughes was sentenced to death. Frederick - give him back his life, give back my father his life and my Hughes was indicted for extortion and pled guilty, receiving probation. Frederick's mother, Pat Teer of Houston, said the fact that Hughes still Billy George Hughes, Jr. But when six cheerleaders and a makeshift marching band came prancing around the corner belting out "When the Saints Come Marching In," it was clear that number 117 was not routine. "This was very disrespectful to the family. The groups gather on opposite sides of the street facing one another. The piece, which will include a segment shot in Florida, is "a celebration," says Awful Truth producer Dave Hamilton, "of two states who have long embraced the death penalty and turned their ability to kill Americans into a state pastime." the walls of the corrections facility in Huntsville, Texas. "I'm pro Texas!" In my opinion, Texans are not the mean-spirited individuals the media portrays and even they like to present. Rounds also corroborated Agent Owens's version of Hughes's extortion attempts, and she described Hughes as a methodical, deliberate person. protecting the public when he stopped Billy Hughes on April 4, 1976, and Warden." Approximately two-and-a-half days after the shooting, Texas Ranger Ray Scholton, who was in charge of the investigation, received a report that a possible suspect had been sighted six miles south of Sealy. Trooper Frederick exited the police car and walked up to the driver's side door of Hughes's car. theft by credit card when Hughes stopped him. Due to family considerations he left Hollywood in the early 1960's despite a promising career. David Atwood, president of the Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty, and Dudley Sharp, vice president of Justice for All, both visibly pissed off, yelled at each other at almost exactly the same time, "Did you do this?" For the third night in a row, and a record-breaking 40th time this year, Texas Thursday executed a convicted killer in the death chamber in Huntsville. Prior to his first trial, Hughes told examining psychiatrists that he had consumed large quantities of beer on the day of the offense which led to "spotty amnesia" around the time of the offense. He comes in only to pronounce death." were a family member of the officer I would have felt terrible, and I Hughes then fled the scene and hid until he was captured in the manhunt on April 6, 1976. I treasure every moment that I have had. been served. That did it. I followed-up with "perhaps you cannot advocate for abolition of the death penalty now, but one day in the future you can speak out." Method outside the unit. that was extraordinary. Hughes then went to Atlanta, Chattanooga, and Nashville. those in Texas who were protesting the execution. On June 9, 1988, a jury found Hughes guilty of the charged capital offense. "There must be a prescription somewhere that is signed by a doctor. When the warden asked if he had any final words, he replied "Yes, I do" in a clear and strong voice. 04-04-76 who had one of the longest tenures on death row at 24 years, replied Mark, justice has CURE began in San Antonio, Texas, in 1972, expanded statewide in 1975 and nationally in 1985. What provoked Dianne Clements of Justice For All in Houston, a victims' New restrictions have made it impossible for the LHP to continue to be governed by prisoners. Go, Texas Go!" following an execution. We were next to each other in small glassed-in rooms facing Billy as the curtain opened. Executed January 24, 2000 by Lethal Injection in Texas 10th murderer executed in U.S. in 2000 608th murderer executed in U.S. since 1976 5th murderer executed in Texas in 2000 204th murderer executed in Texas since 1976 Since 1976 Date of Execution State Method Murderer (Race/Sex/Age at Murder-Execution) Date of Birth attorney at Hughes' 2nd trial, also felt Hughes' claims of innocence I love you all and my family. Rounds finally stated that Hughes' criminal acts escalated during the time she knew him and that she felt Hughes would continue to commit violent criminal acts. Hughes, who maintained his innocence until the end, was executed for the The amorality of the death penalty has long been recognized for what it is throughout Europe and much of the rest of the world. It wasn't so long ago that the institution of slavery along with maiming, stoning, burning at the stake, drawing and quartering, public flogging and a plethora of other "punishments" were held sacrosanct as "the law." Hill was sworn to secrecy when he was contacted by the show, but during his last visit with Hughes before the execution, he says, "I had to confide in Billy what was going on. While in prison, Hughes earned two college degrees, developed a comic That would be Billy. "I love you all and my family. Hamilton said he "couldn't speculate" on why the antics were disavowed by Justice for All stood at the left end of the police line, holding signs that said, "No Murder Equals No Execution." Hughes was later filmed by a television cameraman at prearranged drop sites. The death penalty kills innocent people, ignores the mitigating circumstances of juveniles who have committed murder, denies the inherent innocence afforded in most other instances to those who are mentally ill or retarded even as it sanctions violence while making a mockery of justice. George W. Bush's But, I love you all, and you all watch out for Mom and you all keep up, keep going. Most of these words came from Billy who was interrupted occasionally with the details of his impending execution. Another officer tapped him on the shoulder to make certain his commissary account would be entirely erased. As the 40th anniversary of Billy Collins Jr vs Luis Resto approaches next year, WBN remembers the devastating events. for various offenses in his home state of Alabama and was wanted for 01-28-52 by mge-6 While in Nashville, Hughes purchased a .45 automatic handgun with another stolen check and stole an Alabama license plate from another car. theft by credit card when Hughes stopped him. sides on this issue came together on something," he said. Hughes next headed for Jacksonville, Florida, where he sawed off the barrel of the shotgun as short as possible and concealed it in his trunk. Patsy Teer, the mother of the man he killed, wants to end it. Executions have been on hold in Florida since July, when a possible malfunction in "Old Sparky" caused Allen Davis to bleed profusely through his nose as he died.) The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1976 that it was all right for states to resume capital punishment. "You did this!" As soon as Ranger Scholton pointed his gun out the helicopter at Hughes, Hughes dropped his weapon and was taken into custody. Over the next 24 years, Hughes was twice convicted of the crime. outside the Huntsville "Walls" Unit for the Monday night execution of On January 21, 1976, Hughes rented a 1975 Ford LTD in Fair Hope, Alabama, which was to be returned on January 26, 1976. He was a role model that anyone could aspire to emulate. Channel 2's Suzanne Boase called it an "anti-death-penalty commercial." They grinned, cheered and waved their foam fingers. But the sentiments in favor of capital punishment always seem to run strongest among those whose lives actually have been touched by violent crime. The death penalty is many times more expensive to taxpayers than the cost of a life sentence. No one recognized Martel or his gonzo journalism as trademarks of Michael Moore's popular, populist and political television show, The Awful Truth. The victims' rights group Justice for All was already more boisterous than normal on this particular night at death row because of the man who was being executed. The story of highway patrolman Mark Frederick's murder has the casual air of so many accounts of horrible crime. Citizen provocateur and KPFT Prison Show host Ray Hill was a gold mine of information for Moore's segment producers. On September 10, 1997, Hughes filed a petition for writ of habeas corpus and a motion to stay his September 19, 1997, execution in federal district court. consistent with the facts. Hughes' second conviction and sentence were automatically appealed to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. Thank you, wearing a helmet. A few days later, Hughes returned to Chattanooga where he bought ten-dollar traveler's checks, cashed two, reported all ten stolen and received a one-hundred dollar refund. "Desperate times call for desperate measures," muttered Martel. While in Beaumont, he used Martin's credit card to check into the Castle Motel. Hughes' bid for help on Monday. On October 14, 1996, Hughes filed an application for state habeas corpus relief. We were ushered out. Billy Hughes Jr. played his role to a tee. But George W. Bush, Jr. deserves all the credit he's due for his eager, cynical promotion of capital punishment. Finally, and I know most would not agree, Texas will one day be in the forefront of death penalty abolition. It is Swiftian "After 24 long years, this family has spent vacation time and funds car to question him about a stolen credit card. We shared in common a number of interests and beliefs and pursuits, including one which hews close to the notion that, no matter what, one must live each day as well as possible, and accomplish whatever you can because of the odds, not in spite of them. Mark, justice has "That has never happened," the chaplain kindly informed me. another purpose. The piece, which will include a segment shot in Florida, is "a celebration," says Awful Truth producer Dave Hamilton, "of two states who have long embraced the death penalty and turned their ability to kill Americans into a state pastime." George W. Bush's They have been manipulated by the politicians who have set up this "death machine" that seems to be functioning on automatic pilot. We're number one, can't be number two. Truth" denied any deception in filming the event. In June 1988, Hughes was retried for Mark Frederick's capital murder in the the 23rd District Court of Matagorda County, Texas. He was also a longtime friend of Hughes's, even receiving a posthumous, and postage-due, letter from the inmate expressing his love, admiration and gratitude as he headed for his "final sunset." "I want to tell you all how much I love you all, how much I appreciate While the cop killer "abused the system," he also became a college graduate (with two degrees in religion), a paralegal, an anti-death-penalty lobbyist, a well-known cartoonist and, at least according to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, a humanitarian. deathrow.at The band halted between the two groups while patriotic music played so sweetly that members of Justice For All (a victims' rights group) felt compelled to spontaneously join in the cheerful and celebratory spirit of boosterism by chanting "Go, Texas Go! Remembering Hughes left behind some papers in Kenner, Louisiana, which detailed plans to continue the traveler's check scam, to rob a small-town bank, and to set up apartments in New Orleans, Daytona Beach, and Atlanta, and rob banks in the various cities. Because of past executions, they were probably used to disgruntled witnesses like me. A .9mm handgun taken from Hughes was determined to be the murder weapon. "I'll be happy not to hear any more lies," she added. Family (1) Spouse Aida (? In one of his tedious and contentious syndicated columns published a few days after Billy's execution, Mr. Buckley took to task all those who would unfairly "badmouth the death penalty" in general, and anyone in particular, who has the un-American gall and audacity to criticize Gov. Meanwhile, a bare-chested, body-painted, football-helmeted man ran through the crowd with a "Death" pennant. the most vulgar thing you have ever seen. According to Hill, he said, "Thank you.". asked Atwood. think it is likely that is how the family felt about it. Mr. Hughes appeared in numerous films and TV shows during the 1960s. As the Ford sped away, Reichert shot several times at the car. During his investigation, Agent Owens also learned that Hughes had previously threatened to kill a young child and had frequently beat his wife when she complained of his criminal conduct. Though living every day under the shadow of execution for the murder of a state trooper, the 43-year-old Hughes has, in a sense, led a full life. Mr. Fuccillo was 64 years old who died at his home in Florida. It was We kill more than any other state! Hughes left Louisiana for Texas, staying in Beaumont, Texas, on the night of April 2, 1976. ], There was little in common between the 2 distinct groups gathered I then asked about the role of the physician in the execution. He's a killing machine! 10-year-old was playing in the garden when tragedy struck on Monday. If I am paying my debt to society, I am due a rebate and a refund. Until 1999, it was also administered by Death Row prisoners. The rhetoric between the two sides heated up again this week, as it does whenever the state passes a death penalty milestone or carries out a particularly controversial execution. Perform a free North Carolina public death records search, including death certificates, death indexes, deceased records, death registers & registries, obituaries, and death notices. PROCEDURAL HISTORY In prison, he has operated his own business, Happy Horse Enterprises. As his mother described it, "He was blown all over the road.". Hughes only stayed in Pensacola for a day or two before leaving for Orlando. Hughes only stayed in Pensacola for a day or two before leaving for Orlando. Wearing blue jeans, a baseball cap and a windbreaker that looked a lot like the state flag, he fit right in. But Hughes, who was wanted for credit card theft when Frederick pulled him over, claimed he had merely returned fire when the officers shot at him as he reached for his wallet, and he managed to avoid his death sentence for 24 years by launching numerous appeals. "I don't know anything about that," he answered maintaining his ministerial composure. When the warden asked if he had any final words, he replied "Yes, I do" in a clear and strong voice. On April 13, 1994, that court affirmed his conviction in a published opinion. The confusion moved to a nearby parking lot where a scoreboard read: George 117, Jeb 2. It startled me to read his venomous condemnation of Billy or any other prisoner's attempts to remain as human and humanized as possible from deep inside prison, from behind the locked doors and concrete walls and razor wire barriers which hide the reality of doing time from the rest of the world. A massive manhunt involving as many as 500 "I bet you have Monica Lewinsky sex!" Frederick was struck in the chest. "His story about what happened is not The car was abandoned and after a massive manhunt, Hughes was found hiding in a field six miles away. Trooper Mark Frederick was later declared dead in the ambulance en route to the Sealy Medical Center. Trooper Jack Reichert got out of the patrol car almost immediately after Frederick did. Executed January 24, 2000 by Lethal Injection in Texas Who would have thought it would have taken 24 ", Witnesses said that prior to Hughes' execution, groups with opposing "I would gladly trade the last 24 years if it would bring back Mark Hughes then drove to Pensacola, Florida, where he passed a worthless one hundred fifty dollar check. strip, operated a greeting card business, translated books into braille Executions have been on hold in Florida since July, when a possible malfunction in "Old Sparky" caused Allen Davis to bleed profusely through his nose as he died.) The episode is expected to air on Bravo sometime next season. All of this is as obvious as the fallacy of "an eye for an eye" justification for capital punishment, which leaves the whole world It was a moment neither could have predicted - a committed Texas death I know if I Approximately two-and-a-half days after the shooting, Texas Ranger Ray Scholton, who was in charge of the investigation, received a report that a possible suspect had been sighted six miles south of Sealy. His kindness continued to blunt my anger as I asked about how the medicine used in the execution is prescribed. The death penalty is arbitrary in how and to whom it is applied. Atwood said that despite the methods of the film crew, "I am all for They wanted answers: "Are you pro or against the death penalty?" Clements said that members of a production company that filmed the MEDIA ADVISORY: BILLY GEORGE HUGHES SCHEDULED TO BE EXECUTED. I treasure every "They are executing an innocent man because things did not happen as they Frederick on Interstate 10 in Sealy as Frederick walked toward Hughes' As they approached he asked them to help him, but he died before he could say anything more. Hughes' petition for writ of certiorari was denied by the Supreme Court of the United States on May 15, 1995. In a prepared statement, Teer said her family finally will be able to go have caused family members on both sides. Over the next 24 years, Hughes was twice convicted of the crime. Frederick was 26, and a husband and father when he was shot to death mixture of drugs began flowing into his arms. not to give in, that I hope someday the madness in the system - something asked Andy Kahn of Houston, director of the Mayor's Crime Victims program. I want the guys to know out there not to give up, not to give in, that I hope someday the madness in the system--something will come about, something will be resolved. Officials on the scene said it appeared the group was While in Alma, Arkansas, in 2005, he apparently died in his sleep. This service only issues certified copies of microfilmed death certificates for deaths that occurred in Louisiana between 1911-1972. protecting the public when he stopped Billy Hughes on April 4, 1976, and penalty opponent and an equally passionate defender of victims' rights The purpose of the celebration "was to mock executions and to embarrass In the years since the murder, Teer noted, Hughes has twice been tried and sentenced to die. We would not have made it this far without the support of the prisoners and their families and friends. On the evening of April 4, 1976, two Texas state troopers pulled over the 1975 Ford LTD Billy George Hughes was driving on Interstate 10 near Sealy, Texas. death penalty after the Hughes execution Monday. "It shouldn't have been this way," Atwood said, shaking his head. Rounds also corroborated Agent Owens's version of Hughes's extortion attempts, and she described Hughes as a methodical, deliberate person. The suspect, Hughes, at first pointed a pistol at the helicopter, but then threw the gun down and surrendered. As he approached the vehicle, Hughes -- wanted for theft by credit card -- opened fire. No cause of death was given. Even the news media -- well, those outlets that didn't miss the demonstration for days by relying on the AP feed -- didn't know where to put the blame or the credit. phrases such as, "We Kill Convicts, Yes We Do.". Texas began executing killers again in 1982, and the one-way march to the death house gurney is quicker now than at any time in the past 13 years. Citizens United for the Rehabilitation of Errants, or CURE organization, BILLY HUGHES JR. - Executed on January 24, 2000 His Hollywood lineage included both his father (Bill Hughes) and uncle (Whitey Hughes), who were both stuntmen and film producers. Hughes was an only child; at the time of their marriage, in June 1861, his parents were both 37 years old. "I don't know anything about that," he answered maintaining his ministerial composure. And wasn't it "the law" in certain parts of Europe that allowed and supported a final solution to the perceived social problems then, by those who (like George W. and William F.) were the least likely to be personally affected by them? Date of Death: December 20, 2005. he whooped. Pardons are for wimps! P, P-O, P-O-W-E-R . A correctional officer wanted to know his request for his last meal. The shocking incidents occurred in ten months between . Hughes was later filmed by a television cameraman at prearranged drop sites. They were handing out anti-George W. Bush signs and William Floyd Hughes Jr. 04/22/1936 - 01/18/2021 . "I would gladly trade the last 24 years if it would bring back Mark They believe that overseeing (even through mission) the highest number of executions and amassing the most money in any presidential race in U.S. is so impressive to the rest of us that life as these self-styled compassionate conservatives know it will go on, relatively undisturbed and forever unchallenged -- for various offenses in his home state of Alabama and was wanted for "What if I receive a stay?" Hughes claimed that, after he left the motel and was pulled over by Troopers Frederick and Reichert, the troopers opened fire on him without provocation, whereupon he fired a blind shot out the window. Texas began executing killers again in 1982, and the one-way march to the death house gurney is quicker now than at any time in the past 13 years. escapade had misrepresented themselves and hyped aspects of the event, They were already standing, but they sure hollered. aspen plane crash 1974,

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