An individual convicted of two murders, who had previously escaped custody and was on the run for three days after being sentenced for killing his ex-girlfriend and her new partner, was executed today.
Charles Victor Thompson, aged 55, made a plea for forgiveness just before receiving a lethal injection in Huntsville, Texas. A witness, whose son was a victim of Thompson, reacted by saying: “He’s in hell” as the execution was confirmed by a doctor.
Thompson became the first person to be executed in the U.S. this year, after spending close to three decades on death row for the double homicide. The incident took place in April 1998 when he fatally shot Glenda Dennise Hayslip, 39, and Darren Keith Cain, 30, at Hayslip’s residence in Houston, Texas.
In his final statement, Thompson asked the families of his victims for forgiveness, expressing his hope that they could move forward and heal. Following a brief prayer from a spiritual advisor, Thompson acknowledged the lack of winners in the situation.
Thompson reflected on his actions, stating that his execution continued to impact others even after 28 years. He concluded by apologizing for his deeds and encouraging others to keep faith in Jesus.
During the execution process, Thompson gasped loudly, followed by several breaths that turned into snores before his movements ceased entirely. He was pronounced dead 22 minutes later.
Thompson and Ms. Hayslip had a romantic relationship in the mid-1990s, which ended due to Thompson’s possessive and abusive behavior.
According to court documents, Thompson confronted Cain at Hayslip’s apartment in the early hours of the morning, leading to a fatal altercation resulting in their deaths. Cain died at the scene, while Hayslip passed away in the hospital a week later.
Prosecutors from the Harris County District Attorney’s Office highlighted the families’ long wait for justice to be served over 25 years.
After having his initial death sentence overturned, Thompson faced a new sentencing trial in November 2005, where he was again ordered to receive a lethal injection.
Following his resentencing, Thompson managed to escape from the Harris County Jail in Houston without much resistance from authorities. He later revealed that he fled by manipulating his handcuffs and attire, using a fabricated ID badge to pass deputies.
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