On July 16, 2013, the State of Texas put John Manuel Quintanilla Jr. to death for the 2002 murder of Victor Billings, a former Jackson County chief deputy, during a robbery in Victoria, Texas. The U.S. Supreme Court denied two earlier appeals, regarding a claim that Mr. Quintanilla’s confession was coerced, as well as ineffective assistance of counsel. Read more about the case at the Houston Chronicle.
It was the ninth execution to take place in the state this year, out of 19 nationwide. Texas has executed 501 people since 1982.
The next execution is scheduled to take place on July 19, 2013.