In the seventies and eighties, I walked the halls of the State Capitol and talked "face-to-face" with conservative as well as liberal legislators on prison reform and the death penalty. "The cheerleaders?" the walls of the corrections facility in Huntsville, Texas. Hughes had pneumonia and died of complications from the . While many DPS officers were on hand for the execution, so were several Although we never even saw each other, there were two groups of witnesses: those asked by Billy and those asked by the immediate relatives of the victim. then, "No!" Maybe so but I hope they're wrong. I knew Billy Hughes and counted him as a friend. Hamilton said he "couldn't speculate" on why the antics were disavowed by "My son, Trooper 11 Mark Alan Frederick paid the ultimate price of While I went from sobbing to anger, Billy winked at us. The entertainment trade paper said Buetel, who played Billy. His presence Billy half in jest whispered to us, "How will I buy a soft drink when I get back to death row?" car to question him about a stolen credit card. Hughes earned two college degrees in religion while on death row. A small puncture wound was found in his back; the weapon had punctured his lung and caused his death. If I am paying person I was 24 years ago. But, I love you all, and you all watch out for Mom and you all keep up, keep going. execution, complete with cheerleaders and a marching band. In prison, he has operated his own business, Happy Horse Enterprises. The family of Alan Nicholls have spoken for the first time about how he. They have been manipulated by the politicians who have set up this "death machine" that seems to be functioning on automatic pilot. In one of his tedious and contentious syndicated columns published a few days after Billy's execution, Mr. Buckley took to task all those who would unfairly "badmouth the death penalty" in general, and anyone in particular, who has the un-American gall and audacity to criticize Gov. In my opinion, Texans are not the mean-spirited individuals the media portrays and even they like to present. See all obituaries for Billy Hughes. Date of Death: December 20, 2005. On September 16, 1976, a jury found Hughes guilty of capital murder. The court also denied permission to appeal. Truth" denied any deception in filming the event. According to Hill, he said, "Thank you." Killing power! For example, this chaplain had been present in over 100 executions. I want the guys to know out there not to give up, not to give in, that I hope someday the madness in the system--something will come about, something will be resolved. who had one of the longest tenures on death row at 24 years, replied This attitude of accommodation continued as the witnesses gathered at 5:30 to wait for the signal to enter the death chamber. Summary of Incident On the evening of April 4, 1976, Billy George Hughes checked into the Days Inn Motel in Brookshire (west of Houston), Texas, using a stolen credit card. Hughes then filed a petition for certiorari in the Supreme Court which was denied on October 14, 1997. Sharp put his hand on Atwood's shoulder and said, "Anti-death-penalty and pro-death-penalty strongly believe in what they're doing, and that doesn't include disrespecting the other side." Ranger Scholton went to the location by helicopter, where he spotted Hughes hiding under a mesquite tree in a pasture. Hughes' second conviction and sentence were automatically appealed to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. The law, being the law, and being so rigorously applied in Texas somehow qualifies Governor Bush as being competent, desirable, admirable and, damn it man, tough enough to become King of the Hill in Washington come November, even if he was never a POW -- even in Midland, Texas where everyone does hard time. Ronald Richardson, the supervisor of the firearms section in the DPS Scientific Crime Laboratory, tested the bullet that struck Trooper Frederick and established that it had been fired from the 9 millimeter handgun recovered from Hughes when he was captured. He's a killing machine! The story of highway patrolman Mark Frederick's murder has the casual air of so many accounts of horrible crime. "Stand Up and Holler; A Huntsville execution draws a strange crowd," by Lauren Kern. The Lamp of Hope Project was founded by Texas Death Row Prisoners. on 25h October '52 he was on his way to Parliament to oppose the planned privatisation of Quantas, when he caught a chill and was forced. Hughes admitted to the stolen car and credit card, as well as a string of other thefts and robebries, but claimed that the police opened fire on him and he just blindly fired a shot which killed Officer Frederick. outside the Huntsville "Walls" Unit for the Monday night execution of A search of the car revealed the following items: one holster for an automatic handgun on the front seat, one holster for a revolver in the glove compartment, and the following items in the trunk of the car: a fully loaded .30 caliber carbine; a loaded, sawed-off short barrel twelve-gauge shotgun; a .300 Magnum rifle; extra .38 caliber shotgun ammunition; and a Halloween mask. David Bacon (actor) - Wikipedia "You just can't have closure until the person who executed your child is put to death," said Brenda Solomon, a Waco woman whose daughter was sexually assaulted and murdered by notorious killer Kenneth McDuff, a former death row inmate released from prison. He was the only child of Welsh immigrants to London. At that time 25 years old, Hughes had served time From his cell, Hughes, a talented artist, has marketed a line of greeting cards and published camping guides for horse enthusiasts. Following a punishment hearing, Hughes was sentenced to death. The suspect, who was later identified as Hughes, called local television and radio stations and threatened to blow up two local hospitals unless the three banks paid him $100,000. Also, and I'm not sure I can write this thought clearly. Trooper Frederick exited the police car and walked up to the driver's side door of Hughes's car. I believe that time is coming on executions and may be here even sooner than I think. In fact, composure and "extra mile" consideration seemed to permeate the day as the prison staff went about the ritual of the execution. Almost 40 years on, never forget the tragedy of Billy Collins Jr 4 min read. If I was going to feel any sympathy for him, I lost it all approached Hughes car. Hughes then fled the scene. He's a killing machine! wearing a helmet. As his mother described it, "He was blown all over the road." Hughes then fled the scene. They have the routine down pat: There were seven executions in just over two weeks last month; there have been 119 since George W. took office. While in Beaumont, he used Martin's credit card to check into the Castle Motel. Billy Eugene Hughes Jr. (1948-2005) - Find a Grave Memorial None Hughes also claimed to have kidnapped two small children. Who would have thought it would have taken 24 years to get to this moment? A Death Has Occurred or is Near Plan Ahead . I pursued, "Doesn't he violate his Hippocratic oath to do no harm if he indicates to the warden to continue the injection." The murder conviction and death sentence were reversed on appeal due to a jury selection error. I would gladly trade the last 24 years if it would bring back Mark Frederick--give him back his life, give back my father his life and my mother her health. Kill 'em to the left. sides on this issue came together on something," he said. He again was sentenced to die in June 1988, along the way filing many But, I began to see that he was dying as his body went limp and his eyes kept closing even though they never fully shut. for the blind and even worked from his cell as a registered legislative She graduated from Spruce Creek H They believe the sentence is ineffective and immoral, that Texas, with its death row population in excess of 400 , is running a death mill. The troopers followed Hughes's car on Interstate 10 until it exited the highway. The death penalty kills innocent people, ignores the mitigating circumstances of juveniles who have committed murder, denies the inherent innocence afforded in most other instances to those who are mentally ill or retarded even as it sanctions violence while making a mockery of justice. of Criminal Appeals later ruled that a juror had been excluded improperly Death Records - Death Records Search Online By Name While many DPS officers were on hand for the execution, so were several "Desperate times call for desperate measures," muttered Martel. Howard Hughes | Biography & Facts | Britannica He offered cans of ginger ale, passed out foam fingers and praised George W. Bush. Birthday: November 28, 1948. the walls of the corrections facility in Huntsville, Texas. Hughes then returned to Fair Hope and retrieved some clothing from a cleaners and attempted to fake his death at a local beach by leaving his shirt and pager. Billy Hughes killed after becoming entangled in garden swing "It shouldn't have been this way," Atwood said, shaking his head. We were so moved by his final words that I mistakenly thought the warden was too when he removed his glasses. escapade had misrepresented themselves and hyped aspects of the event, Trooper Reichert then called for assistance and tended to Trooper Frederick; however, Reichert could find no pulse. The piece, which will include a segment shot in Florida, is "a celebration," says Awful Truth producer Dave Hamilton, "of two states who have long embraced the death penalty and turned their ability to kill Americans into a state pastime." Billy stayed for another 19 years until death set him free. During On the other side is an army of capital punishment opponents arguing that the state is getting carried away . Texas is good, Texas is great. Rounds finally stated that Hughes' criminal acts escalated during the time she knew him and that she felt Hughes would continue to commit violent criminal acts. Hughes, who maintained his innocence until the end, was executed for the views on the death penalty had been conducting respectful vigils outside I am not the same person I was 24 years ago. As he approached the vehicle, Hughes -- wanted for theft by credit card -- opened fire. "I would gladly trade the last 24 years if it would bring back Mark (Charles Sullivan is executive director of CURE (Citizens United for Rehabilitation of Errants), a national prison reform organization. days later. As the helicopter hovered a few feet above the ground, Hughes pointed a gun at the helicopter. seeking justice, living our worst nightmares over and over and over. Trooper Frederick's aorta and heart were struck, resulting in internal hemorrhaging, shock, and then death. The piece, which will include a segment shot in Florida, is "a celebration," says Awful Truth producer Dave Hamilton, "of two states who have long embraced the death penalty and turned their ability to kill Americans into a state pastime." Department of Public Safety officers, while the other was an almost Trooper Frederick's aorta and heart were struck, resulting in internal hemorrhaging, shock, and then death. Despite having serious health problems over the years, he always had a kind and giving spirit, and a wonderful . If there had been cheerleaders, which there were, you can bet he wasn't surprised. In the years since the murder, Teer noted, Hughes has twice been tried and sentenced to die. No one recognized Martel or his gonzo journalism as trademarks of Michael Moore's popular, populist and political television show, The Awful Truth. Hamilton said. A few days later, Hughes returned to Chattanooga where he bought ten-dollar traveler's checks, cashed two, reported all ten stolen and received a one-hundred dollar refund. A heroic police officer who shot dead and ended the murderous rampage of a mass killer has been honoured by his colleagues. "We do have a lot of feeling of compassion for the police officer's As they approached he asked them to help him, but he died before he could say anything more. But it seems long ago when I visited Billy the morning of his execution at the Ellis Unit. The cheerleaders spelled out the letters as they called them: Gimme a "D" Gimme an "E" Gimme an "A" Gimme a "T" Gimme an "H" What's that spell? But that doesn't mean that the Governor's hands are clean. Frederick had sustained a fatal wound. It wasn't so long ago that the institution of slavery along with maiming, stoning, burning at the stake, drawing and quartering, public flogging and a plethora of other "punishments" were held sacrosanct as "the law." Citations: theft by credit card when Hughes stopped him. Frederick and his wife, Jane, had a small child, Denise, and were expecting another. He was only 57 years young. Both Rounds and Hughes were members of the Jehovah's Witnesses until Hughes was expelled from the group for incessant lying and bad-check writing. In typical Billy fashion, he said he would go with the guards on this 20 minute ride on one condition: They would let him drive. According to Hill, he said, "Thank you.". will come about, something will be resolved. Then, just after Hughes was executed, pompon waving cheerleaders and "We definitely agree with the death penalty," said Bethanie Barnett, a Houston paralegal and leader of Gulf Coast Survivors of Homicide. While Billy seemed to be in total control, I was starting to spin out-of-control with a certain "makes me wanta holler" anger and frustration. - 20 December 2005) (his death) (1 child) Texas Department of Criminal Justice - Executed Offenders (Billy Hughes) "They're not here all the time?" Billy Holiday passed away on 17th July 1959 due to complications caused by cirrhosis of the liver. "I love you all and my family. Billy will be missed by us all. They are executing an innocent man because things did not happen as they say they happened, and the truth will come out some day. He's a killing machine! Department of Public Safety officers, while the other was an almost simply, "Yes I do," and then began his statement. April (Hughes) France, 41, of Daytona Beach Shores, passed away on September 6, 2016. happened. not because it's right -- but because it's their destiny. I know if I After Hughes pulled onto an interstate exit ramp, Trooper Mark Frederick approached the driver's side of the Ford. (In all fairness, Jeb has only one execution to his credit. Following a punishment hearing, Hughes was sentenced to death. Hughes then drove to Pensacola, Florida, where he passed a worthless one hundred fifty dollar check. filming an 'anti-Bush' commercial aimed at impeding Gov. DRUGS AND/OR ALCOHOL Houston Chronicle lobbyist. Texas began executing killers again in 1982, and the one-way march to the death house gurney is quicker now than at any time in the past 13 years. The Tragic Life Of Willie Nelson's Son, Billy Nelson - Grunge Death Penalty, was a staged celebration following Billy George Hughes' 204th murderer executed in Texas since 1976 We kill more than any other state! On March 30, 1976, Hughes left Montgomery for Louisiana, where he used Martin's credit card for food, motels, and gasoline. "They are executing an innocent man because things did not happen as they Hughes left Louisiana for Texas, staying in Beaumont, Texas, on the night of April 2, 1976. If I am paying He offered cans of ginger ale, passed out foam fingers and praised George W. Bush. Because of past executions, they were probably used to disgruntled witnesses like me. 1976 shooting death of Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Mark the most vulgar thing you have ever seen." Hughes continued his trek throughout the southeast during the early spring of 1976. Channel 2's Suzanne Boase called it an "anti-death-penalty commercial." His father subsequently sent him to be raised by relatives in Wales. Finally, and I know most would not agree, Texas will one day be in the forefront of death penalty abolition. I wonder what the doctor writes down as the purpose of this prescription." Billy died December 20, 2005, while visiting Alma, Arkansas. "This is what our show is, dark satire. Hughes's conviction was automatically appealed to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals and was affirmed in a published opinion. Hughes's ex-wife, Beth Rounds, related that Hughes was a violent husband who hit, slapped, punched, and choked her. "I'll be happy not to hear any more lies," she added. my debt to society, I am due a rebate and a refund, but I love you all, And he said the stunt, however "ignorant and insensitive," had served Frederick's mother, Pat Teer of Houston, said the fact that Hughes still "You did this!" But George W. Bush, Jr. deserves all the credit he's due for his eager, cynical promotion of capital punishment. It was Hughes was later filmed by a television cameraman at prearranged drop sites. Citizens United for the Rehabilitation of Errants, or CURE organization, Trooper Frederick exited the police car and walked up to the driver's side door of Hughes's car. "They were doing synchronized They deny the self evident, mesmerized, perhaps, by their mutual admiration, their incestuous and cannibalistic self-promotion. Thank you, was punished to the full extent of the law after having one of the being he was. Don't give up, don't give in. Trooper Mark Frederick was later declared dead in the ambulance en route to the Sealy Medical Center. Billy asked us to help him with the menu. Hughes was indicted for extortion and pled guilty, receiving probation. The court also denied permission to appeal. Approaching the Ford behind Frederick, Reichert heard a muffled shot and observed Frederick grunt and lurch to the side. Hughes returned to Nashville, Tennessee, where his car was broken into and two .45's were stolen. In fact, composure and "extra mile" consideration seemed to permeate the day as the prison staff went about the ritual of the execution. protecting the public when he stopped Billy Hughes on April 4, 1976, and putting Texas and George W. Bush under the spotlight on the death penalty those in Texas who were protesting the execution. Dead wrong. Handgun and you all watch out for Mom and you all keep up, keep going. Death Row Information - Texas Department of Criminal Justice Clements agreed My conscience required me to." ABOLISH Archives (Scripps Howard News Service) When the clerk confronted Hughes in his room about the stolen card, she noticed a gun on his bed. I want the guys to know out there not to give up, not to give in, that I hope someday the madness in the system--something will come about, something will be resolved. In his testimony at trial, Hughes related the details of a lengthy crime spree that ended with the capital murder of Trooper Mark Frederick. While unexpected and downright surreal, I think that marching bands and cheerleaders are just what are needed at Texas A check of Hughes's car revealed that it had been reported stolen. I am not the same Rounds finally stated that Hughes' criminal acts escalated during the time she knew him and that she felt Hughes would continue to commit violent criminal acts. outside the Huntsville "Walls" Unit for the Monday night execution of You can tell he's very athletic and considering he was only 14 when he made this show, he put in a remarkable performance. The clerk then left Hughes's room to notify the motel security guard of the problem. In a place where affiliations are always clearly delineated, this was as infuriating as the cheerleaders themselves. The troopers observed that the car had been struck by several bullets, and inside the car was a holster and a room key from the Days Inn Motel in Brookshire. "That has never happened," the chaplain kindly informed me. ). unsuccessful appeals that ended with the U.S. Supreme Court rejecting "It appeared to be a parody of the death CURE began in San Antonio, Texas, in 1972, expanded statewide in 1975 and nationally in 1985. ) script and published cartoons illustrating animal rights and other causes. Billy Hughes (actor) Wikipedia that was extraordinary. Sharp put his hand on Atwood's shoulder and said, "Anti-death-penalty and pro-death-penalty strongly believe in what they're doing, and that doesn't include disrespecting the other side." 608th murderer executed in U.S. since 1976 Citizens United for the Rehabilitation of Errants, or CURE organization, The hero cop who brought mass murderer's rampage to an end Of course, partying when you live for 24 years on death row can mean simply eating a special candy bar.
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