Donations can be made in her name, Nancy L. Hughes, to Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital. The clerk then left Hughes's room to notify the motel security guard of the problem. On September 16, 1976, a jury found Hughes guilty of capital murder. "I can't but be outraged, stressed to think that as a state, we probably have more executions than any country in the world, with the obvious exception of the United States and China," lamented Jay Jacobson, director of the Texas chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, a steadfast opponent of the death penalty. At the time of his death he survived by his large extended friends and family. On January 15, 1998, the federal district court denied Hughes's petition for writ of habeas corpus and vacated the previously issued stay of execution. Truth" denied any deception in filming the event. trying to portray those there to support the officer's family as drunken Two days later, a helicopter approached a field where a suspect was reportedly seen. For the third night in a row, and a record-breaking 40th time this year, Texas Thursday executed a convicted killer in the death chamber in Huntsville. Billy was 57 years old at the time of death. On March 18, 1987, however, the Court of Criminal Appeals granted Hughes's application for state post-conviction relief and reversed his conviction because a prospective juror had been improperly excluded. It was a moment neither could have predicted - a committed Texas death While in Alabama, Hughes stole Harold Martin's credit card, a diamond ring from Sam Caldwell, and some checks from Caldwell. While Billy seemed to be in total control, I was starting to spin out-of-control with a certain "makes me wanta holler" anger and frustration. and then "Texas, Texas, you're so great, You kill more than any state!" Frederick and his wife, Jane, had a small child, Denise, and were expecting another. Hughes then filed a petition for certiorari in the Supreme Court which was denied on October 14, 1997. anti-death penalty personalities, including representatives of the "It was truly disgusting," said Clements. The law, being the law, and being so rigorously applied in Texas somehow qualifies Governor Bush as being competent, desirable, admirable and, damn it man, tough enough to become King of the Hill in Washington come November, even if he was never a POW -- even in Midland, Texas where everyone does hard time. He was an actor, known for Shirley Temple's Storybook (1958), Smoke in the Wind (1975) and The Detectives (1959). The court also denied permission to appeal. was punished to the full extent of the law after having one of the "Is this what George Bush wants?" His first film was Ole Rex in 1961, which was produced by his father. The death penalty kills innocent people, ignores the mitigating circumstances of juveniles who have committed murder, denies the inherent innocence afforded in most other instances to those who are mentally ill or retarded even as it sanctions violence while making a mockery of justice. The shocking incidents occurred in ten months between . mother her health," he continued. His Hollywood lineage included both his father (Bill Hughes) and uncle (Whitey Hughes), who were both stuntmen and film producers. (Charles Sullivan is executive director of CURE (Citizens United for Rehabilitation of Errants), a national prison reform organization. However, at a second psychiatric interview prior to his second trial, he denied having any amnesia and stated that he recalled everything about the offense. The confusion moved to a nearby parking lot where a scoreboard read: George 117, Jeb 2. None Hughes was later filmed by a television cameraman at prearranged drop sites. was punished to the full extent of the law after having one of the The Bushes and the Buckleys and folks like them ignore the obvious. Rick Lemmon, a man who has lost both his twin brother and only son to murder, shouted back through a megaphone: "We have never killed anybody for practices.Y'all don't forget the victim here." Warden.". criminal. If I am paying my debt to society, I am due a rebate and a refund. Hughes stopped in Gatlinburg, Tennessee; Washington, D.C.; and Baltimore, Maryland. following an execution. say they happened, and the truth will come out someday. Hughes was convicted of the crime in September 1976, but the Texas Court The suspect, who was later identified as Hughes, called local television and radio stations and threatened to blow up two local hospitals unless the three banks paid him $100,000. Chants are shouted and exchanged. anti-death penalty personalities, including representatives of the William F. Buckley would not agree. Both Rounds and Hughes were members of the Jehovah's Witnesses until Hughes was expelled from the group for incessant lying and bad-check writing. Approximately two-and-a-half days after the shooting, Texas Ranger Ray Scholton, who was in charge of the investigation, received a report that a possible suspect had been sighted six miles south of Sealy. A Death Has Occurred or is Near Plan Ahead . Maybe so but I hope they're wrong. revelers. I followed-up with "perhaps you cannot advocate for abolition of the death penalty now, but one day in the future you can speak out.". It is that the persons actually being executed are those who will have the greatest influence on finally banishing the death penalty from our society. . Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)Troopers Jack Reichert and Mark Frederick pulled over the 1975 Ford LTD Hughes was driving on Interstate 10 near Sealy, Texas; they were responding to a dispatcher's report that a man driving a similar car had attempted to use a stolen credit card at a nearby motel. It was unknown who might have been financing the filming. In typical Billy fashion, he said he would go with the guards on this 20 minute ride on one condition: They would let him drive. George W. Bush, Jr., by association, for his particular role in the alarming number of executions (121 at this writing -- Hughes was #118!) "This was very disrespectful to the family. On the evening of April 4, 1976, Billy George Hughes checked into the Days Inn Motel in Brookshire (west of Houston), Texas, using a stolen credit card. Hughes admitted to the stolen car and credit card, as well as a string of other thefts and robebries, but claimed that the police opened fire on him and he just blindly fired a shot which killed Officer Frederick. We're number one, can't be number two. Hughes' second conviction and sentence were automatically appealed to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. Hughes had pneumonia and died of complications from the . 4 min read. Inside the unit, when asked if he had any last words, 47-year-old Hughes, (Charles Sullivan is executive director of CURE (Citizens United for Rehabilitation of Errants), a national prison reform organization. Method ofMurder been served. On October 14, 1996, Hughes filed an application for state habeas corpus relief. Prior to his first trial, Hughes told examining psychiatrists that he had consumed large quantities of beer on the day of the offense which led to "spotty amnesia" around the time of the offense. From his cell, Hughes, a talented artist, has marketed a line of greeting cards and published camping guides for horse enthusiasts. for various offenses in his home state of Alabama and was wanted for Today, as I reflect on this almost six weeks ago, what comes through to me is that yes, I will never be the same after this execution. These death row cheerleaders aren't on our side after all. years to get to this moment? BILLY HUGHES JR. - Executed on January 24, 2000 You can tell he knew how to handle a gun and a horse and the scene in the restaurant where he takes a tumble after being slapped was very well done. all the memories of you and my family and all the things that have I asked him what he wanted to do--Billy answered with one word, "Party!" The law, being the law, and being so rigorously applied in Texas somehow qualifies Governor Bush as being competent, desirable, admirable and, damn it man, tough enough to become King of the Hill in Washington come November, even if he was never a POW -- even in Midland, Texas where everyone does hard time. Birthday: November 28, 1948. We've got power. The cheerleaders were rocking out with all the intensity of a step club, but the witnesses had just emerged from the watching area, and both those for and against the death penalty turned to show their support. After Hughes pulled onto an interstate exit ramp, Trooper Mark Frederick approached the driver's side of the Ford. Billy will be missed by us all. Billy Dale Hughes Jr. has been charged with first-degree felony theft over $300,000 following a joint investigation between the Taylor Police Department and the Texas Rangers, says the City of . and then "Texas, Texas, you're so great, You kill more than any state!". In the years since the murder, Teer noted, Hughes has twice been tried and sentenced to die. Billy stayed for another 19 years until death set him free. William F. Buckley never met Billy Hughes. The case was tried on a change of venue in Matagorda County, Texas, and Hughes entered a plea of "not guilty." 1976 shooting death of Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Mark But George W. Bush, Jr. deserves all the credit he's due for his eager, cynical promotion of capital punishment. It is Swiftian Mark A. Frederick OFFICERW / M / 25 (In all fairness, Jeb has only one execution to his credit. Billy was more than just a friend. I want the guys to know out there not to give up, The person preceding him to execution a few days earlier was Larry Robison who was known to be constantly trying to reconcile death row prisoners who had a "falling out". ). Rounds finally stated that Hughes' criminal acts escalated during the time she knew him and that she felt Hughes would continue to commit violent criminal acts. Woo! His other films included Stakeout, Five Card Stud, and Smoke in the Wind. approached Hughes car. The death penalty kills innocent people, ignores the mitigating circumstances of juveniles who have committed murder, denies the inherent innocence afforded in most other instances to those who are mentally ill or retarded even as it sanctions violence while making a mockery of justice. But, he is not that unique in character from others on death row. family has to go through what we have been through. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1976 that it was all right for states to resume capital punishment. When Officer Frederick approached the car, he was shot dead by the driver, who sped away. car to question him about a stolen credit card. In April 1976, a grand jury in Austin County, Texas, indicted Hughes for the capital murder of Mark A. Frederick, a peace officer acting in the lawful discharge of an official duty. Hughes stayed in Jacksonville for a few days during which time he cashed a few more stolen checks and inquired into buying some more guns. A .9mm handgun taken from Hughes was determined to be the murder weapon. It meant having his picture taken with "free world" friends with a partial glass and screen partition separating me from Billy. strip, operated a greeting card business, translated books into braille Hughes was an only child; at the time of their marriage, in June 1861, his parents were both 37 years old. On January 21, 1976, Hughes rented a 1975 Ford LTD in Fair Hope, Alabama, which was to be returned on January 26, 1976. While many DPS officers were on hand for the execution, so were several Prior to his first trial, Hughes told examining psychiatrists that he had consumed large quantities of beer on the day of the offense which led to "spotty amnesia" around the time of the offense. man executed for Frederick's murder. He was 45. execution, complete with cheerleaders and a marching band. While in Nashville, Hughes purchased a .45 automatic handgun with another stolen check and stole an Alabama license plate from another car. and you all watch out for Mom and you all keep up, keep going. tonight was just a final chapter in showing what a manipulative human Billy George Hughes, Jr. "Is this what George Bush wants?" Rick Lemmon, a man who has lost both his twin brother and only son to murder, shouted back through a megaphone: "We have never killed anybody for practices.Y'all don't forget the victim here." Frederick was 26, and a husband and father when he was shot to death If there had been cheerleaders, which there were, you can bet he wasn't surprised. Hughes then fled the scene and hid until he was captured in the manhunt on April 6, 1976. In April 1976, a grand jury in Austin County, Texas, indicted Hughes for the capital murder of Mark A. Frederick, a peace officer acting in the lawful discharge of an official duty. But that doesn't mean that the Governor's hands are clean. There were "wisecracks" and jokes, even gallows humor. Mark, justice has I left death row in 1981. The suspect, who was later identified as Hughes, called local television and radio stations and threatened to blow up two local hospitals unless the three banks paid him $100,000. the officers shot at him, leading him to fire one shot which struck and Atwood said that despite the methods of the film crew, "I am all for simply, "Yes I do," and then began his statement. I believe that time is coming on executions and may be here even sooner than I think. The doctor came in and pronounced him dead. ], There was little in common between the 2 distinct groups gathered A witness to another execution had said this to me. during a traffic stop in April, 1976, by Hughes, a 25-year-old wanted Actor. family has to go through what we have been through. Wayne Hughes Jr.; daughter, Tamara Hughes Gustavson; and four grandchildren. New restrictions have made it impossible for the LHP to continue to be governed by prisoners. death penalty supporters seemed to join the stunt before realizing it was Witnesses said that prior to Hughes' execution, groups with opposing Hughes then left Nashville and headed for Montgomery, Alabama. The car had many bullet holes, and its trunk contained a loaded, sawed-off shotgun and several other weapons. Texas," said a statement jointly released by groups for and against the Pardons are for wimps! You could actually see the realization come over the faces of those in the pro-death-penalty camp: Hey, wait a minute. But George W. Bush, Jr. deserves all the credit he's due for his eager, cynical promotion of capital punishment. William Morris Hughes (known affectionately as 'Billy') was born in London, UK, on 25 September 1862. CURE began in San Antonio, Texas, in 1972, expanded statewide in 1975 and nationally in 1985. ) "I want to tell you all how much I love you all, how much I appreciate everything. Chants are shouted and exchanged. "Mr. Hughes has told a number of stories over the years," he continued. The rhetoric between the two sides heated up again this week, as it does whenever the state passes a death penalty milestone or carries out a particularly controversial execution. ", 10th murderer executed in U.S. in 2000 the most vulgar thing you have ever seen." The story of highway patrolman Mark Frederick's murder has the casual air of so many accounts of horrible crime. "Do you wait 10 years to send a robber to prison?" Pardons are for wimps! I want the guys to know out there not to give up, not to give in, that I hope someday the madness in the system--something will come about, something will be resolved. In this issue I would like to remember all who have served this organization and given of their time and energy. My conscience required me to." "We definitely agree with the death penalty," said Bethanie Barnett, a Houston paralegal and leader of Gulf Coast Survivors of Homicide. who actually witnessed the execution on Hughes' behalf. As his mother described it, "He was blown all over the road.". If there had been cheerleaders, which there were, you can bet he wasn't surprised. Undoubtedly, Billy Hughes was an exceptional human being. - 20 December 2005) (his death) (1 child) Billy Hughes Jr. was convicted in 1976 of fatally shooting 25-year-old state trooper and father Mark Frederick. was 'true to his manipulative character.' According to Hill, he said, "Thank you.". Two bits, four bits, six bits, a dollar, All for the death penalty stand up and holler! That did it. The band halted between the two groups while patriotic music played so sweetly that members of Justice For All (a victims' rights group) felt compelled to spontaneously join in the cheerful and celebratory spirit of boosterism by chanting "Go, Texas Go! This chaplain pointedly said, "the doctor is in the next room, not in the execution chamber. His father subsequently sent him to be raised by relatives in Wales. See all obituaries for Billy Hughes. While in Orlando, Hughes stole some checks that he used to buy jeans, a jacket, a belt, and a hat. He's a killing machine! Hughes was indicted for extortion and pled guilty, receiving probation. Florida oranges, Texas cactus We kill convicts just for practice! In my opinion, Texans are not the mean-spirited individuals the media portrays and even they like to present. Execute, execute, sis, boom, bah . But, most of all, "partying" was a lot of laughs. escapade had misrepresented themselves and hyped aspects of the event, Billy Hughes (November 28, 1948 - December 20, 2005) (Billy Eugene Hughes, Jr.) was an American actor best known for various television and film roles he played during the 1960s. Executed January 24, 2000 by Lethal Injection in Texas Every one ofthose countries which have ended their "danse macabre" with capital punishment now experience far less violence and fewer murders than does the U.S. Rounds finally stated that Hughes' criminal acts escalated during the time she knew him and that she felt Hughes would continue to commit violent criminal acts. Remembering I treasure every Death! I believe that time is coming on executions and may be here even sooner than I think. They believe that overseeing (even through mission) the highest number of executions and amassing the most money in any presidential race in U.S. is so impressive to the rest of us that life as these self-styled compassionate conservatives know it will go on, relatively undisturbed and forever unchallenged -- Age at Death: 57. But when six cheerleaders and a makeshift marching band came prancing around the corner belting out "When the Saints Come Marching In," it was clear that number 117 was not routine. [7] Wales Hughes's mother died in May 1869, when he was six years old, he was really sad and stayed at home for 2 months. sides on this issue came together on something," he said. When the warden asked if he had any final words, he replied "Yes, I do" in a clear and strong voice. Next year will be the 10th anniversary of the LHP. Sharp put his hand on Atwood's shoulder and said, "Anti-death-penalty and pro-death-penalty strongly believe in what they're doing, and that doesn't include disrespecting the other side." Texas Attorney General Media Advisory Former Rep. William Hughes (D-N.J.), who served in Congress for two decades, has died at 87, according to a statement from his family provided by Stockton University, home to the William J. Hu Texas is good, Texas is great. I would gladly trade the last 24 years if it would bring back Mark Frederick--give him back his life, give back my father his life and my mother her health. Billy twice served as editor of the Death Row Journal and contributed numerous cartoons for its pages. Of course, partying when you live for 24 years on death row can mean simply eating a special candy bar. "All I ask is that I have one day, and Hughes' second conviction and sentence were automatically appealed to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. I wonder what the doctor writes down as the purpose of this prescription." His initial account of being intoxicated prior to the offense is also contradicted by testimony from other trial witnesses who observed him at that time. William Floyd Hughes Jr. 04/22/1936 - 01/18/2021 . The groups gather on opposite sides of the street facing one another. wearing a helmet. He was only 57 years young. The purpose of the celebration "was to mock executions and to embarrass Billy's death was ruled a suicide. Another officer tapped him on the shoulder to make certain his commissary account would be entirely erased. It is with a heavy heart that I inform you of the passing of Billy Hughes. On January 15, 1998, the federal district court denied Hughes's petition for writ of habeas corpus and vacated the previously issued stay of execution. another purpose. ProDeathPenalty.com car to question him about a stolen credit card. Although younger than me by a few years, Billy was an "old timer" on death row when I arrived there in 1978. Former Las Vegas Review-Journal photojournalist Bill Hughes, remembered as a masterful photographer with an eye for detail, has died. Billy was already lying on his back on the table with his right arm outstretched and the needle in it. Following a punishment hearing, Hughes was sentenced to death. would claim his innocence was hard to take. George, George, he's our man, If he can't kill 'em, no one can, Who's the best on the killing scene? Hughes left Louisiana for Texas, staying in Beaumont, Texas, on the night of April 2, 1976. Ranger Scholton went to the location by helicopter, where he spotted Hughes hiding under a mesquite tree in a pasture. That did it. And he said the stunt, however "ignorant and insensitive," had served Approaching the Ford behind Frederick, Reichert heard a "muffled shot" and saw Frederick "lurch" to the side. Needless to say, the anti-death-penalty camp was a little sadder than normal to see a "reformed" man die. Citizens United for the Rehabilitation of Errants, or CURE organization, The death penalty is arbitrary in how and to whom it is applied. They deny the self evident, mesmerized, perhaps, by their mutual admiration, their incestuous and cannibalistic self-promotion. Glen McGinnis who was executed the next evening after Billy was only 17 when he committed the murder. On June 17, 1997, the trial court scheduled Hughes's execution for September 19, 1997. One man at the prison that night did know the score: Billy Hughes. executions, which by their nature are dismal, depressing and decidedly anti-photo-op for aspiring politicians large and small. The car was abandoned and after a massive manhunt, Hughes was found hiding in a field six miles away. outside the unit. who had one of the longest tenures on death row at 24 years, replied A search of the car revealed the following items: one holster for an automatic handgun on the front seat, one holster for a revolver in the glove compartment, and the following items in the trunk of the car: a fully loaded .30 caliber carbine; a loaded, sawed-off short barrel twelve-gauge shotgun; a .300 Magnum rifle; extra .38 caliber shotgun ammunition; and a Halloween mask.

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