EXECUTION #7

Ricardo Ortiz
Executed January 29, 2009 06:18 p.m. CDT by Lethal Injection in Texas
7th murderer executed in U.S. in 2009
1143rd murderer executed in U.S. since 1976
5th murderer executed in Texas in 2009
428th murderer executed in Texas since 1976

Summary:
On August 17, 1997, Gerardo Garcia died in the El Paso County Jail of a heroin overdose. The concentration of morphine in Garcia's blood was three times higher than the average. A pathologist testified that the absence of track marks meant that Garcia was not a heroin addict. At trial, two witnesses testified that the heroin overdose was involuntary, forced upon Garcia by Ortiz because Ortiz believed that Garcia had revealed Ortiz's role in some bank robberies. This section of the jail was known as the "Texas Syndicate tank" because it was set aside specifically to contain those associated with the Texas Syndicate. Ortiz was the "tank boss," meaning he exercised de facto authority over the other inmates in the tank.
Final/Special Meal:
None.
Final Words:
Ortiz expressed love for his family and thanked them for their support. "Stay strong," he said, although he had no friends or relatives in the death chamber. "I'm at peace. I love you and my kids. See you."
The Execution
Texas prison officials injected lethal drugs to execute Ortiz for the retaliation slaying.
Nine minutes later, at 6:18 p.m. CST, he was pronounced dead.