John Ramirez's Final Words Before Texas Execution

A Texas death row inmate whose case redefined the role of spiritual advisers in death chambers nationwide was executed Wednesday.

John Henry Ramirez, 38, was executed at the state penitentiary in Huntsville. He was sentenced to death for the 2004 killing 46-year-old Pablo Castro. Prosecutors said Castro, a a convenience store clerk, was taking the trash out from the store when Ramirez stabbed him 29 times and robbed him of $1.25.

In March, the U.S. Supreme Court sided with Ramirez, saying states must accommodate the wishes of death row inmates who want to have their faith leaders pray and touch them during their executions.

The Associated Press reported that in the execution chamber, his spiritual adviser Dana Moore placed his right hand on the inmate's chest, and held it there for the duration. Moore offered a brief prayer with his back to witnesses.

"Look upon John with your grace," he prayed. "Grant him peace. Grant all of us peace." As Moore's prayer ended, Ramirez responded: "Amen."

In his last statement, provided to Newsweek by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Ramirez addressed five of Castro's relatives—including four of his children—as they watched through a window a few feet from him.

"I just want to say to the family of Pablo Castro, I appreciate everything that y'all did to try and communicate with me through the Victim's Advocacy program," he said.

"I tried to reply back, but there is nothing that I could have said or done that would have helped you."

He continued: "I have regret and remorse. This is such a heinous act. I hope this finds you comfort. If this helps you, then I am glad. I hope in some shape or form this helps you find closure."

Ramirez expressed love to his wife, son and friends. "To my wife, my friends, my son, grasshopper, Dana and homies, I love y'all," he said. "Just know that I fought a good fight, and I am ready to go. I am ready Warden."

As the lethal dose of pentobarbital took effect, Ramirez took several short breaths then began snoring. Within a minute, all movement stopped. He was pronounced dead 14 minutes later, at 6:41 p.m. CDT.

In a statement after the execution, Castro's son Aaron Castro said: "God is the only Judge, jury, and verdict in the end for all of us. Who are we to hold hate, anger, and vengeance on our mind."

The statement added: "Peace and Love and justice for Pablo G. Castro may his name not be forgotten, and may God have mercy in J.H.R. for it is not up to us. He is receiving his true judgement with our Lord and Savior. The Alpha and Omega, the beginning and end. A Life taken away is not to be celebrated but closure can definitely take place."

Seth Kretzer, Ramirez's attorney, previously told Newsweek: "Mr. Ramirez's religious liberties case in the Supreme Court touched some small part of America's soul.

"The most conservative regional Court of Appeals in America was reversed 8-1 by the most conservative Supreme Court in American history.

"While perhaps D.A. Gonzalez should have more quickly informed his staff as to his position that capital punishment is unethical, a new day is dawning in America where elected district attorneys can stand up to execution errors extrapolated from a prior generation."

Ramirez was the third inmate executed in Texas this year and the 11th in the entire U.S. in 2022. Texas executed Carl Buntion in April and Kosoul Chanthakoummane in August.

Update 10/6/22, 5:30 a.m. ET: This article has been updated to add a statement from Aaron Castro.