Convicted murderer put to death in Texas

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2007

WASHINGTON (AFP) — A man convicted of murdering a woman during an automobile hijacking in 1990 died by lethal injection late Wednesday in Huntsville, Texas, prison officials said.

Lionell Rodriguez was declared dead at 18:19pm (2319 GMT) eight minutes after the toxic injections were administered, the officials said.

"You have every right to hate me," 36-year-old Rodriguez told his victim's family witnessing the execution.

"I'm responsible ... This should have never happened," he said before he drifted off into oblivion.

Rodriguez was convicted of murdering 22-year-old Tracy Gee with a shot to the head as he and his cousin drove alongside her car one September night in 1990 in Houston, Texas.

After dumping Gee's body, Rodriguez stole her car,...