EXECUTION #9

David Martinez
Executed February 4, 2009 06:18 p.m. CDT by Lethal Injection in Texas
9th murderer executed in U.S. in 2009
1145th murderer executed in U.S. since 1976
6th murderer executed in Texas in 2009
429th murderer executed in Texas since 1976

Summary:
Martinez lived with his firlfriend, Carolina Prado and her two children, 14 year old Erik and 10 year old Belinda. On July 10, 1994, Martinez beat Carolina to death with a baseball bat in her bed, and used the same bat on Erik in the living room. Belinda was left tied up but unharmed and had seen her brother beaten to death by Martinez. She escaped and returned with her Grandmother who discovered the bodies. Upon arrest, Martinez confessed to the murders, bragging that he had killed them like cockroaches. No apparent motive for the murders was revealed.
Final/Special Meal:
Declined.
Final Words:
"Nothing I can say can ever change the past. I hope one day you can find peace. I am sorry for all of the pain I have caused you for all those years. There is nothing else I can say that can help you." Martinez also expressed love to his family and apologized for making them grieve. "I am sorry to put you through this as well. I can't change the past. I hope you find peace and know that I love you. I am sorry. I am sorry and I can't change it. Keep on going and it will be OK. I'm sorry. I truly am."
The Execution
David Martinez was pronounced dead at 6:18 p.m., about eight minutes after he was administered a lethal mix of drugs. Before succumbing to the lethal injection, Martinez shook his head vigorously back and forth.