Convicted murderer executed in the US state of Texas
Gonzales abducted, raped, and shot Bridget Townsend, his drug dealer's girlfriend, in 2001. Before his execution, he addressed the victim's family: "I'm sorry. I have no words for the pain I have caused you."
Gonzales confessed to the crime while in custody for another rape charge. The court denied a stay of execution on a Wednesday.
This was the second execution in Texas that year, and the eighth in the US overall. An execution in Idaho was halted in February due to the medical team's inability to access the inmate for the lethal injection. In January, the US executed its first prisoner using nitrogen gas, which drew international criticism.
Last year, US authorities carried out 24 death sentences. The death penalty was abolished in 23 of the 50 states. In six additional states, moratoriums are in place.
Gonzales, a convicted murderer from Texas, used a poison syringe in his heinous act against Bridget Townsend, his drug dealer's girlfriend. Despite being a US state known for enforcing the death penalty, Gonzales' rape and murder case sparked international criticism. Following his conviction, he was executed in the USA, marking the second capital punishment in Texas that year.
