Stephen Barbee
Stephen Barbee, 55, was executed by lethal injection at the state penitentiary in Huntsville, Texas, on November 16, 2022, and was pronounced dead 26 minutes after pentobarbital began flowing. In his final statement he spoke of his faith in God and hoped the moment would not be sad for his family and friends, and his spiritual adviser held his right hand and prayed aloud during the execution. His lawyers argued that his religious rights and his right to be free from cruel and unusual punishment, including his medical need for limits on how his arms were positioned, were not adequately protected. Courts and the U.S. Supreme Court declined to halt the execution. Prison staff said they took extra time to place IV lines safely and provided padding so his arms could stay bent.
Cause of death, as reported: Executed by the state
Reported by: Texas Department of Criminal Justice (the agency that held him); his lawyers' appeals (family or their lawyers); the courts and U.S. Supreme Court (court).