EXECUTION #39

Christopher Bernard Coleman
Executed September 22, 2009 06:22 p.m. CDT by Lethal Injection in Texas
39th murderer executed in U.S. in 2009
1175th murderer executed in U.S. since 1976
18th murderer executed in Texas in 2009
441st murderer executed in Texas since 1976

Summary:
Coleman and Derrick Graham were paid $12,000 to take part in the scheme hatched by Genero Garcia so Garcia would not have to pay an $80,000 drug debt. They arranged a meeting with the drug suppliers and stopped on a dead end street in a residential neighborhood. Coleman and the two other men got out of their car and approached the second vehicle, where one of Coleman's companions spoke to the driver. Then, standing close to the passenger side of the car, Coleman opened fire on the occupants of the second vehicle.Jose Luis Garcia-Castro; his girlfriend, Elsie Prado; Prado's brother, Heimar Prado Hurtado; and Prado's three-year-old son, Danny Giraldo were all shot. Only Elsie Prado survived the attck and later testified against Coleman at trial. Upon arrest, Coleman admitted being at the scene, but denied he was the shooter. Accomplices Garcia and Graham received life prison terms for their role in the plot.
Final/Special Meal: None
Final Words:
“Yes. Ain’t no way fo fo, I love all y’all.” It was unclear what “fo fo” meant, although in urban slang it can refer to a .44-caliber pistol or distinctive car rims made in 1984 and apparently popular in Houston.
The Execution
The fatal combination of drugs caused him to sigh, struggle for breath and snort before falling silent. He was pronounced dead at 6:22.