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Texas man convicted of killing police officer to be executed on Wednesday Texas man convicted of killing police officer to be executed on Wednesday
(about 1 hour later)
The 19-year-old was already wanted in Dallas over the fatal shooting of a neighbor when he got involved in a brawl outside a club, pulled out a 9mm semi-automatic handgun and opened fire on police as they tried to break up the fight.The 19-year-old was already wanted in Dallas over the fatal shooting of a neighbor when he got involved in a brawl outside a club, pulled out a 9mm semi-automatic handgun and opened fire on police as they tried to break up the fight.
Related: Texas executes Lester Bower after 31 years on death rowRelated: Texas executes Lester Bower after 31 years on death row
Licho Escamilla’s bullets twice struck Christopher Kevin James, among four uniformed Dallas officers working off-duty security that 2001 Thanksgiving weekend, knocking him to the ground. Escamilla then calmly walked up to James and pumped three more shots into the back of his head before running and exchanging shots with other officers, witnesses said. A wounded Escamilla was arrested as he tried to carjack a truck.Licho Escamilla’s bullets twice struck Christopher Kevin James, among four uniformed Dallas officers working off-duty security that 2001 Thanksgiving weekend, knocking him to the ground. Escamilla then calmly walked up to James and pumped three more shots into the back of his head before running and exchanging shots with other officers, witnesses said. A wounded Escamilla was arrested as he tried to carjack a truck.
On Wednesday night, Escamilla is slated to become the 24th convicted killer put to death this year in the United States – with Texas accounting for half of the executions. On Wednesday night, Escamilla is slated to become the 24th convicted killer put to death this year in the US – with Texas accounting for half of the executions.
The US supreme court last week refused to review the 33-year-old’s case, the Texas board of pardons and paroles on Monday decided against a reprieve and recommending clemency and no new appeals were in the courts on Tuesday.The US supreme court last week refused to review the 33-year-old’s case, the Texas board of pardons and paroles on Monday decided against a reprieve and recommending clemency and no new appeals were in the courts on Tuesday.
“He’s a really bad guy,” trial prosecutor Fred Burns said on Tuesday. “I think what happened is the guy already committed one murder and figures that’s what [officers] were coming after him for.”“He’s a really bad guy,” trial prosecutor Fred Burns said on Tuesday. “I think what happened is the guy already committed one murder and figures that’s what [officers] were coming after him for.”
A warrant had been issued for Escamilla in connection with the shooting death of a West Dallas neighbor nearly three weeks before James’s death on 25 November 2001. Escamilla’s trial attorneys told jurors he was responsible for James’s slaying but argued it did not merit a death sentence because James was not officially on duty, meaning the crime did not qualify as a capital murder.A warrant had been issued for Escamilla in connection with the shooting death of a West Dallas neighbor nearly three weeks before James’s death on 25 November 2001. Escamilla’s trial attorneys told jurors he was responsible for James’s slaying but argued it did not merit a death sentence because James was not officially on duty, meaning the crime did not qualify as a capital murder.
As the judge in October 2002 read his death sentence, Escamilla threw a pitcher of water at the jury, started kicking and hitting people and hid under the defense table until he was subdued by sheriff’s deputies.As the judge in October 2002 read his death sentence, Escamilla threw a pitcher of water at the jury, started kicking and hitting people and hid under the defense table until he was subdued by sheriff’s deputies.
“It was a real scene,” Wayne Huff, Escamilla’s lead trial lawyer, said. “I don’t think there was any real doubt he was going to be found guilty.”“It was a real scene,” Wayne Huff, Escamilla’s lead trial lawyer, said. “I don’t think there was any real doubt he was going to be found guilty.”
Testimony showed Escamilla bragged to emergency medical technicians who were treating his wounds that he had killed an officer and injured another and that he would be out of jail in 48 hours. He also admitted to the slaying during a television interview from jail.Testimony showed Escamilla bragged to emergency medical technicians who were treating his wounds that he had killed an officer and injured another and that he would be out of jail in 48 hours. He also admitted to the slaying during a television interview from jail.
James, 34, had earned dozens of commendations during his nearly seven years on the Dallas police force after graduating at the top of his cadet class. He was working the off-duty security job to earn extra money so he and his new wife could buy a house. A second officer wounded in the gunfire survived.James, 34, had earned dozens of commendations during his nearly seven years on the Dallas police force after graduating at the top of his cadet class. He was working the off-duty security job to earn extra money so he and his new wife could buy a house. A second officer wounded in the gunfire survived.
According to court documents, Escamilla and some older brothers were involved in gang activities and sold and used drugs from an early age. He was involved in two high-speed police chases and an assault on an assistant principal in school, where he dropped out after the eighth grade.According to court documents, Escamilla and some older brothers were involved in gang activities and sold and used drugs from an early age. He was involved in two high-speed police chases and an assault on an assistant principal in school, where he dropped out after the eighth grade.