A 28-year-old man convicted of the 1998 murder of his adoptive parents was executed Thursday shortly after 6 p.m.
Carlton Akee Turner, the first of three death row inmates scheduled for execution this month, was pronounced dead at 6:16 p.m. after receiving a lethal injection administered seven minutes earlier.
“Carlton Turner was executed at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Walls Unit Thursday night, marking the second execution to take place in Texas this year,” said Michelle Lyons, TDCJ public information officer. “Turner’s was the first of three executions scheduled in July.”
In the hours before his execution, Lyons said Turner was very quiet and did not display significant emotion.
During his last statement, Turner apologized directly to his uncle, Henry Kyle Johnson, the brother of his adoptive mother, Tonya Turner.
No immediate family members of Turner’s adoptive father, Carlton Turner, were present.
“First of all, I’d like to tell my uncle Kyle that I’m sorry, and I’ve been sorry for the last 10 years,” Turner said. “I wish you could accept my apology, but I know I can’t even ask for your forgiveness.
“I take this penalty as a man, but this doesn’t solve anything. I’ve done what I could to help the rest of the family. I was wrong, but I am still your nephew no matter what you believe, and I love you.”
Following the execution, Johnson held a small press conference where he discussed his feelings about the execution and the effect the event would have on the remainder of his family.
“I wanted to see this through — I needed to see this through,” he said. “I mean, I can’t speak for my sister or my brother-in-law because they’re gone, but for me and the remaining members of the family who are still feeling pain every day of their absence, I needed to be here.”
Johnson said there were signs during Turner’s childhood which might have indicated that he would misbehave, but none which would indicate the capability to commit the crimes he did.
“As he neared about 12-years-old, we thought he was just going through the average growing pains, and nobody knew how serious it was going to become,” he said. “His whole demeanor changed over the last few years before he committed the crime.”
Johnson described his deceased sister as an angel, and he said she was instrumental in helping to raise him.
Turner’s apology, nonetheless, was meaningful to Johnson.
“I do accept his apology,” he said. “It took a long time coming, and this is the first time he’s ever apologized. I didn’t think he was ever going to.
“I mean, he could have chosen not to say anything, so it makes it easier. It does.”
Turner was convicted in 1999 for shooting his adoptive parents in the head.
According to a press release from the Texas attorney general’s office, Turner put the bodies of his parents in their garage after the shootings, took their credit cards and cash and went shopping.
The next scheduled execution, that of 40-year-old Derrick Sonnier, will take place July 23.
Local News
Dallas man executed for 1998 murder of parents
- Local News
-
-
Fire Safety and Fun Times
Hannah Heinemann, 5, tries her hand at the ring toss.
-
Voting continues
At the end of voting on day four, Diana McRae, Walker County election officer, is pleased with the early voting turnout.
-
SHSU graduates join Army as officers
Fifteen ROTC cadets at Sam Houston State University, including 12 criminal justice majors, were officially commissioned as officers in the U.S. Army during a ceremony last week.
-
STAFS donors remembered
The Southeast Texas Applied Forensic Science Facility honored 27 individuals, including six veterans and a cancer victim whose final weeks were documented in a KTRK news story, for donating their bodies for research at the facility during the 2011-2012 academic year.
-
SHSU honors staff
Four Sam Houston State University employees who have demonstrated excellence in service, commitment, meritorious performance and a high level of motivation have been selected as recipients of the 2012 Staff Excellence Award.
-
Huntsville officer speaks from Kuwait
United States Army and Kuwaiti Army soldiers have hardened their ongoing partnership with fire — live fire, that is.
-
A love of math + SHSU = a legacy of triumphs
Thirteen years ago, when recent Sam Houston State graduate Tatiana Kovyrshina and her mother, SHSU alumna Svetlana Steich, traded their dry Russian winters to move to Southeast Texas, they found summers were not the only thing warm in the Piney Woods.
-
Sesquicentennial
-
'Fiesta' set to celebrate small businesses
Best restaurant, best catering, best police officer, best tanning salon, best club, best breakfast – these awards and more will be presented Thursday, May 24 at La Quinta Inn.
-
SHSU clinic to offer free counseling in The Woodlands
Sam Houston State University counselor education students will share their expertise with members of north Houston community by offering free counseling service in conjunction with the opening of the university’s The Woodlands Center.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Ravi Spared Prison in Rutgers Webcam Case
Miss. Prison Quiet After Riot; 1 Dead
Obama Confident Afghans Can Take Security Lead
Raw Video: Deadly Bombing at Yemen Parade Preps
Professor: Chinese Activist's 'Spirit Is Good'
Ring of Fire Eclipse Seen in U.S., Asia
Golden Gate Bridge Celebrates 75 Years
G-8 Seeks Unity on Euro-debt Crisis, Iran
Prosecutors: Trio Planned to Attack Obama's HQ
Obama: G8 Unified in Stance on Iran, Syria
