Earlier this evening, October 6, 2015, the State of Texas carried out its 11th execution of the year, putting Juan Garcia to death for the 1998 robbery and murder of Hugo Solano in Harris County. Joined by three accomplices, Garcia was 18 years old at the time of the crime. Mr. Solano’s widow testified during the penalty phase of the trial that she forgave Garcia and did not support a death sentence.
According to NBC News, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles rejected Garcia’s clemency bid in a 5-2 vote last week.
Texas accounts for nearly half of the 23 executions that have taken place in the United States to date this year. Three additional executions are scheduled to occur by the end of 2015. Harris County now accounts for 125 executions, more than any other state (except Texas as a whole).