Capital Punishment: Condemned Forgiven

Condemned man forgiven before execution
5/4/2005 9:20 AM
By: Associated Press

HUNTSVILLE -- Death row inmate Lonnie Wayne Pursley asked forgiveness from his victim's family before he was executed Tuesday night for a 1997 robbery and fatal beating.

The victim was Robert Earl Cook of Livingston.

Pursley was the sixth condemned killer in Texas to be executed this year.

The former cook and laborer was a ninth-grade dropout who authorities said used rings he took from the 47-year-old victim to buy drugs.

Investigators believe Cook was driving on U.S. Highway 59 when he picked up Pursley, who was walking along the roadway.

In a final statement, Pursley thanked relatives of his victim for a handwritten statement in which they offered their forgiveness to him.

“I'm very grateful for your forgiveness,” he said. His victim's sister, between sobs, replied, “We forgive you.”

“I've got Jesus in my heart. I'm sorry for any pain I've caused,” Pursley said.

Then the 43-year-old inmate turned toward his own witnesses and expressed love to them.

“I'm going to miss you all. Give everybody my love. I'll see you all on the other side,” he said.

Pursley thanked fellow death row inmates for their support.

“I'm saved and I'm going home. OK? Y'all stay strong,” he said.