Larry Ray Swearingen was executed at 6:47 p.m. on August 21,
2019 in Texas for the death of
19-year-old Melissa Trotter, reported CNN.
"Lord forgive them. They don't know what they are
doing," he said in his last words.
Swearingen was sentenced to death in July 2000 for Trotter's
abduction, rape and murder.
The Montgomery College student was last seen alive on
December 8, 1998. Her body was found in the Sam Houston National Forest on
January 2, 1999, with a torn pair of pantyhose tied around her neck.
Swearingen repeatedly
challenged his conviction and sentence over the years, and his execution was
postponed five times. Over the years, he argued that the case against him was
built on circumstantial evidence and questionable forensics.
Prosecutors contended that Swearingen killed Trotter after
she rejected his sexual advances. Witnesses testified they saw Trotter leave
campus with Swearingen on December 8, according to court documents. The state
also pointed to the fact that Swearingen's wife found a lighter and a pack of
cigarettes matching Trotter's preferred brand in the couple's trailer, although
they did not smoke, and a detective found a pair of pantyhose in the trash
outside the trailer with one leg missing.
In a prepared statement his lawyer released after his death,
Swearingen said he had proved his "innocence beyond any shadow of
doubt," although it was not enough to stop his execution.
"Today the State of Texas murdered an innocent man.
Sadly, so many people have suffered from all this. Melissa's family and friends
were denied the opportunity for closure. My family was torn apart," the
statement said.
"I want everyone to know I'm not angry about my
execution. Sure I would've liked to live and go free. But I feel certain that
my death can be a catalyst to change the insane legal system of Texas which
could allow this to happen. I am now one of God's sacrificial lambs, and
hopefully people will use my example to help keep others from experiencing this
dreadful and wrongful persecution."
The week before his execution, Swearingen requested another
stay based on two claims, according to court documents.
He argued that the state allowed "false and misleading"
trial testimony regarding blood flecks found under Trotter's fingernails. He
also claimed the state knew that a criminologist had "manufactured"
evidence that the torn pantyhose used to strangle Trotter matched pantyhose
found at Swearingen's house.
The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals denied his request on August 16, saying the evidence
he presented to support his claims was not strong enough to have made a difference
to the outcome of his trial.
On Wednesday night, the Supreme Court turned down
Swearingen's final appeal.
Swearingen nevertheless continued to maintain his innocence
in an interview with the Houston Chronicle published Wednesday, and questioned
if his scheduled execution would come to pass.
But the slain teen's mother told the Chronicle she is still
convinced of his guilt.
"The overwhelming evidence is not just a
coincidence," Sandy Trotter said. "There was a trial; he was found
guilty, and they agreed on a sentence."
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