Derrick Dewayne Charles
Derrick Dewayne Charles, 32, was executed by lethal injection on May 12, 2015, at the Huntsville Unit in Huntsville, Texas, according to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. His attorneys argued that he was mentally incompetent to be executed, citing severe mental illness, and asked for more time and money to pursue that claim. The U.S. Supreme Court declined those claims. State lawyers said similar competency arguments had already been rejected.
Cause of death, as reported: Executed by the state. His lawyers argued he was severely mentally ill and mentally incompetent for execution, and that they needed more time and funds to pursue that claim.
Reported by: Texas Department of Criminal Justice (the agency that held him); his attorneys; U.S. Supreme Court (court).