Convicted Texas killer executed: 'I am at peace'

Jun 2, 2011

HUNTSVILLE (Texas) - CONVICTED killer Gayland Bradford was executed Wednesday for the US$7 (S$9) robbery-slaying of a Dallas grocery store security guard almost 23 years ago. In a final statement, Bradford, 42, thanked friends for being with him 'through thick and thin.'

'I am at peace,' he said. 'We have no worries, just as I have no more worries. To the victim's family, may you be at peace also.' As the lethal drugs took effect, he gasped a couple of times, then began snoring, each breath progressively fainter. Nine minutes later, he was pronounced dead.

Bradford already was on parole for a robbery conviction when he was arrested for gunning down 29-year-old Brian Williams four days after Christmas in 1988. The shooting came on Mr Williams' second day on the job at the market a few kilometres south of downtown Dallas. Mr Williams' mother and brother were among the people in the death chamber, watching through a window just a few metres from Bradford.
'We have no anger towards Mr Bradford and forgive him of his crime against our family,' Mr Williams' brother, Gregory, said in a statement released following the punishment. 'We now turn our thoughts and prayers to Mr Bradford's family and friends and pray that God will give them the strength, comfort and understanding as they now grieve the loss of their loved one.'
The shooting and robbery was recorded on a security camera and attorneys said the tape was key to Bradford's conviction and death sentence. In a confession to police, Bradford said the shooting was in self-defence, that when he walked into the store he tapped Mr Williams on the shoulder, the security guard jumped and frightened Bradford.
'The security guard was trying to get his gun,' he said in the written confession. 'I thought the security guard was going to shoot me.' The video, however, didn't back up Bradford's story. -- AP