A Texas man, Travis Mullis, was executed by lethal injection at the state penitentiary in Huntsville for the murder of his 3-month-old son over 16 years ago. Mullis, 38, waived his right to appeal his death sentence and was pronounced dead at 7:01 p.m. CDT on Tuesday evening.
Mullis expressed gratitude towards those who accepted him during his best and worst moments and acknowledged the changes in the prison system that allowed for rehabilitation. He admitted to taking the life of his son and expressed regret for his actions, apologizing to the child's mother and her family.
The execution was briefly delayed as technicians worked to find a suitable vein for the lethal injection. Mullis closed his eyes as the drug took effect, and he was pronounced dead 20 minutes later.
Mullis was convicted of sexually assaulting and killing his son after an altercation with his girlfriend. Prosecutors described him as a 'monster' who refused medical and psychiatric help. Despite conflicting decisions regarding his appeals, Mullis ultimately accepted responsibility for his son's death.
This execution is part of a series of scheduled executions in the U.S., with five planned within a week. Mullis' attorney confirmed that no late appeals would be filed to spare his client's life.
If the upcoming executions in Alabama and Oklahoma proceed as scheduled, it will be the first time in over 20 years that five executions have taken place within seven days. The Death Penalty Information Center, a nonprofit organization, has noted this trend and criticized the execution methods used by states.
Overall, Mullis' execution marks a somber chapter in the ongoing debate surrounding capital punishment in the United States.
