EXECUTED

Robert Anthony Martinez Perez

Executed: Executed March 6, 2007 06:17 p.m. CST by Lethal Injection in Texas

Summary: During an internal power struggle within the Mexican Mafia in the San Antonio area, Perez sought out Luis “Blue” Adames, who was seeking to replace Herbert Huerta as President. Perez spotted Adames vehicle and along with accomplices Joe Sandoval and Javier Garcia went to arm themselves. Upon their return they engaged in a shootout with Adames supporters, resulting in the deaths of Robert Rivas and Jose Travieso, and wounded Jesse Travieso. Perez was convicted of Voluntary Manslaughter in 1990 and was released on parole in 1992. Before being tried for the Travieso and Rivas murders, Perez was a co-defendant in a federal trial for the murders of 5 people at the West French Place apartments. He was convicted of racketeering and conspiracy and was sentenced to life in federal prison - a sentence he never served, since he received the death penalty in his state trial.
Final/Special Meal: Five pieces of fried chicken, one double meat hamburger with cheese and onion, onion rings, three cheese and onion enchiladas, one onion, french fries, hot sauce, pico de gallo, jalapeno peppers and two cokes.
Final Words: Yes sir, Ernest, Christopher, Ochente, Mary and Jennifer tell all the kids I love them and never forget. Tell Bobby, Mr. Bear will be dancing for them. Tell Bear not to feel bad. My love always, I love you all. Stay strong Mary, take care of them. I love you too. I am ready Warden. I got my boots on, like a cowboy."

EXECUTED

Joseph Bennard Nichols
Executed: March 7, 2007 06:19 p.m. CST by Lethal Injection in Texas

Summary: Nichols and Willie Ray Williams drove to Joseph’s Deli in Houston. Both men were armed and pointed handguns at deli employee Claude Shaffer, Jr., who was behind the counter. When Shaffer saw the guns he began to bend over or squat down, both Nichols and Williams opened fire. Nichols and Williams ran to the door and Nichols went out. Williams turned and fired once more at Shaffer then went behind the counter and grabbed the deli’s cash box, then ran out of the deli.Nichols and Williams then joined accomplices Charlotte Parker and Evelyn Harvey in a waiting car and drove away. Nichols told Parker and Harvey “he had shot the man” and “he thought he shot him in the chest,” and that Williams said he had run back into the deli and shot the man again. Shaffer died from a single gunshot wound. Nichols was on felony probation for Theft at the time of the murder and evidence was also presented that he had engaged in a string of robberies just before the murder. Accomplice Willie Ray Williams was also sentenced to death in a separate trial and was executed in 1995.

Final/Special Meal: Declined.
Final Words: When the warden asked Nichols if he wanted to make a last statement, he answered, "Yes, yes I do." He then mentioned a supervisory corrections officer on death row by name and uttered a string of obscenities about her. Then he said, "That's all I got to say."