Last night, Wednesday, September 26, the State of Texas executed Troy Clark for the 1998 murder of Christina Muse in Tyler (Smith County). Clark maintained his innocence until the very end. Smith County accounts for 13 executions since 1982.
It was the first of two consecutive executions scheduled this week in Texas. Tonight, Thursday, September 27, Daniel Acker is scheduled to be put to death for the kidnapping and murder of his girlfriend, Marquetta George, in 2000. He was convicted in Hopkins County.
Acker maintains that George jumped from his moving vehicle, which caused her death. During his trial, prosecutors told jurors that George had been strangled but later abandoned that theory of the crime during Acker’s appeals.
Acker has petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court, seeking a stay of execution.
You’ll find additional coverage from the Texas Tribune and the AP/Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
The State of Texas has executed 9 men to date in 2018, and there are 7 additional executions scheduled to take place this year (including Acker). In 2017 and 2016, the state executed 7 people.