The state of Texas executed James Broadnax with a lethal injection of pentobarbital on Thursday for the 2008 robbery and fatal shootings of two men at a music studio in Garland.
Broadnax was pronounced deceased at 6:47 p.m. at the Huntsville Unit state penitentiary.
In a statement, Broadnax’s legal team claimed their client “was a teenager with no meaningful criminal record” when he “decided to get high on PCP with his cousin Demarius Cummings, who came up with the idea to rob two young men in a parking lot. … In the course of the robbery, Demarius shot and killed [the victims].” Cummings, who later confessed to killing both men, received a life sentence.
Sheri Lynn Johnson, professor of Cornell Law and a consultant on the case, suggested there was hardly any consideration of the evidence of the codefendant.
“What actually happened is that Broadnax, who was very high on PCP, when he was involved in the crime, the robbery, and when he was making his statement, was not actually the killer,” Johnson said. “That is demonstrated not only by Cumming’s statement, but also by the DNA evidence that was presented at trial, which showed that it was Cummings’ DNA on the gun and Cummings’ DNA on the victim, and not Broadnax. Overall, it’s understandable why they came to the conclusion that they came to, but it was factually the wrong conclusion.”
According to CNN, prosecutors used violent rap lyrics Broadnax had written to secure his death sentence. Multiple A-list rappers, including Killer Mike and Travis Scott, had filed briefs at the Supreme Court in support of Broadnax’s appeal.
Ultimately, the Supreme Court denied Broadnax’s final petition in the hours leading up to his execution. Below is Broadnax’s last statement:
“To the family I prayed for years that any of my choices would create heaviness in your heart and burdens on your spirits. I prayed to God for your forgiveness. Despite what you think about me, I hope to God that prayer was answered. But no matter what you think about me, Texas got it wrong. I’m innocent, the facts of my case should speak for itself period. Let this moment be what finally sparks the revolution that will be televised, none of it was worth it. Queen Emmit, I love you, my promise still stands, it always will. Keep fighting, stay strong, keep God first, never stop believing. I love you forever and a day. I love you Queen. Peace, love, and light, that’s what I stand for. God bless everybody.”
Rev. Cheryl Smith, member of Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty, noted in a protest outside the Huntsville Unit that Broadnax might not have made a good impression, but he was young, with no record, and he was nervous. She suggests there was no reason to give him the death penalty.
“There are many people who are after vengeance,” Smith said. “ They want to see somebody pay for what’s been done, but it does not lessen a crime. It’s easier to be vengeful than it is to make things right. I think that the death penalty is all about vengeance, and it satisfies a certain part of our human nature to punish or to get vengeance. I don’t think that’s the most mature way.”
Photo gallery by Sophia Morales
