Texas Executes Inmate John Ramirez Who Challenged Prayer, Touch Rules

John Henry Ramirez. Texas Department of Criminal Justice via AP

Texas death row inmate John Ramirez, who won a legal bid to have a preacher by his side to perform religious rites, was executed on Wednesday at the state penitentiary in Huntsville.

Ramirez was sentenced to death for the murder of 46-year-old Pablo Castro, who he robbed of $1.25 and stabbed 29 times at a convenience store in Corpus Christi in 2004. Ramirez killed Castro during a drug-fueled multiple-day binge, during which he committed robberies with two women.

A lethal dose of pentobarbital was injected into Ramirez on Wednesday night. Around 14 minutes later he was pronounced dead, at 6:41 p.m. local time.

In his last statement, Ramirez addressed the relatives of his victim, including four of his children, as they watched his execution.

Ramirez acknowledged the efforts the family had made to communicate with him via the Victim’s Advocacy program and told them nothing he could say or do would help them.

“I have regret and remorse, this is such a heinous act. I hope this finds you comfort. If this helps you, then I am glad,” he said. “I hope in some shape or form this helps you find closure.”

Ramirez also gave his love to his family and friends, saying he had “fought a good fight” and was “ready to go.”

Legal Fight for Prayer, Touching

In a noteworthy legal challenge, Ramirez sought to have a pastor in the chamber, touching him, and praying aloud for him at the time of his execution.

Bryan Collier, executive director of the Texas Board of Criminal Justice, tried to prevent this, arguing in court last year that, among other things, the presence of an outsider in the execution chamber posed a security risk.

“That a state may not impose policies coercing an inmate to do what his religious tenants [sic] forbid does not mean that it must accede to his every religious demand,” Collier said in court filings. “By design, prisons impede inmates’ freedom to behave as they might wish, which, necessarily limits some of their religious behavior.”

Collier, who was speaking for Texas, also argued that Ramirez’s religious needs were already being accommodated. He would be allowed to visit with his preacher for four hours on the morning of his execution, and then again for two hours in the afternoon.

But through his attorney, Ramirez argued that Texas was depriving him of his constitutionally protected right to exercise his religion, as well as running afoul of the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act.

Ramirez’s legal challenge led to the delay of his execution and others’.

The Supreme Court ruled in favor of Ramirez in March. As he was executed, his pastor said a prayer while placing his right hand on Ramirez’s chest.

On Wednesday night, the victim’s son, Aaron Castro, said only God could judge his father’s killer, the Texas Tribune reported.

“Peace and Love and justice for Pablo G. Castro may his name not be forgotten, and may God have mercy in J.H.R. for it is not up to us,” Castro’s statement reads. “He is receiving his true judgement with our Lord and Savior. The Alpha and Omega, the beginning and end. A Life taken away is not to be celebrated but closure can definitely take place.”