Texas executes killer on birthday

HUNTSVILLE, Texas, March 5 (UPI) -- Texas executed convicted killer Kenneth Wayne Morris by lethal injection Wednesday evening, his 38th birthday.

Morris, who received his death sentence for the 1991 capital murder of James Moody Adams, was pronounced dead at 6:16 p.m., The Huntsville Item reported.

Morris used his last words to reach out to his victim's family.

"I want to say I'm sorry for all of the pain I might have caused you and your family," he said in his final statement. "I carry nothing but love in my heart, and I hope one day you'll be able to forgive me.

"I'm ready to go home. I really am sorry."

Four members of Adams' family, including three sons and one grandson, witnessed the execution, the newspaper said.

The two witnesses attending for Morris were friends Donna Lounton and Christina Court.

"There's a sense of just punishment here today, and it seems it is the only just compensation and potentially the only deterrent for future crimes," said Kent Adams, one of the victim's sons. "I think our mother would be sad today, and she would feel compassion for this man's mother and anyone who cared and loved for him."

James Adams' wife Marcena, who witnessed his death, has since died.

Authorities said Morris and two accomplices entered the Adamses' home looking for guns but didn't find any and demanded money. James Adams handed over $1,800 but Morris shot him because he thought Adams recognized one of them.