TEXAS LAST MEAL
LONNIE PURSLEY
May 3, 2005

...he was on parole for a third time...

Last Meal: Pursley requested a cheeseburger, four fried pork chops, french fries, two dinner rolls, a piece of cheesecake and iced tea with sugar,

The skinny: Pursley was executed for the robbery and fatal beating of an East Texas man while he was on parole for a third time.

More skinny: On Good Friday, Pursley and his family were visiting relatives. After getting into an argument with his wife, Pursley left the house on foot. The victim stopped and offered Pursley a ride. After spending some time at the victm's in his home, Pursley had the man drive out into the woods where Pursley savagely beat him to death, took his rings and left the body. Pursley was later seen by several witnesses driving the bloodstained car. Pursley used the rings to buy drugs and admitted to several people that he had beaten a person to death. DNA evidence and witnesses linked Pursley to the crime.

Pursley's repeated paroles, despite increasingly longer sentences, were attributed in part to bed shortages and court-imposed population limits at Texas prisons before a billion-dollar construction program eased the crowding problems.

Last words and such: "Yes. I would like to address the victim's family. I received your poem and I ma very grateful for your forgiveness. I still want to ask for it anyway. I have Jesus in my heart and I am sorry for any pain I caused you all. Thank you for your forgiveness. I am sorry. Ashlee, Pam -- I am going to miss you all. I love you all. Give everybody my love. Give everybody my love, O.K.? Mother, James, Justin, Corey, Brent, grand-babies and Daddy - I love you Pam. I love you Ashlee, Pammy and Irene. I will see you all on the other side. Couple friends on death row who have helped me; Shy town and Crazy Jay...I love you all and for all your support. Uncle Ray too. I am saved and I am going home, O.K.? You all stay strong. You all stay strong. That is all."

The victim's sister responded between sobs, "We forgive you."

Family and friends of Pursley could be heard sobbing and praying that God would "take his soul to a better place." Pursley's daughter, overcome with emotion, was escorted prematurely from the chamber.

Factoids: Pursley was the...

19th murderer executed in U.S. in 2005
963rd murderer executed in U.S. since 1976
6th murderer executed in Texas in 2005
342nd murderer executed in Texas since 1976

PURSLEY'S PENPAL REQUEST :
Penpals : Hello! My name is Lonnie. I am currently on Texas' infamous Death Row. I was arrested on April 20, 1997 when I turned myself over to the authorities after finding that there was a warrant for arrest on the charge of Capital Murder. Family members are no longer supporting me, nor are they keeping in contact with me. I would like to find someone to correspond with. Please be patient with me, as I am not financially stable. There are things in here that are very much needed to get by, such as : hygiene items, writing supplies, and stamps. Any and all help will be greatly appreciated. I was born in Houston, Texas on September 17, 1961. I was raised in a small East Texas town called Coldsprings. I'm 5'9" tall, 230 pounds, with blue eyes and dusty blone hair. My interet are rodeo - both watching and participating when I had the chance to, playing handball and lifting weights. I also like to do art work. RACE, SEX, AGE - none of these matter. I hope to hear from you soon. THANKS! I remain, Lonnie Wayne Pursley