James Demouchette

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James Demouchette
JamesDemouchette.png
Born(1955-05-20)May 20, 1955
Bexar County, Texas
DiedSeptember 22, 1992(1992-09-22) (aged 37)
Huntsville Unit, Huntsville, Texas, U.S.
Cause of deathExecution by lethal injection
Other names"Doom"
Criminal penaltyDeath (Sorrell and White)
Life imprisonment (Swift)
Details
CountryUnited States
State(s)Texas
Date apprehended
October 18, 1976

James Demouchette (May 20, 1955 – September 22, 1992)[1] was an American convicted criminal who was executed by the state of Texas for a double-murder.[2] On October 17, 1976, he murdered two Pizza Hut clerks during a robbery in Houston. He was arrested the following day, for which he was convicted, and ultimately sentenced to death the following year.

While on death row, Demouchette fatally stabbed another inmate with a homemade knife. On another occasion, he attacked three corrections officers with a knife. There were also reports of him setting fires around the prison.[3] By the time of his execution, his case had attracted particular media attention, who notably labeled Demouchette as “The Meanest Man on Death Row”.[2] His case has also been used as an example by advocates of capital punishment.[4]

Early life[]

James Demouchette was born on May 20, 1955, in Bexar County, Texas. As a child, he was known to set fires and kill stray dogs and cats. He failed elementary school multiple times due to his deviant behavior, for such he served time at a state school for juvenile delinquencies.[5] He also served time for a slaying as a juvenile and for larceny and burglary as an adult.[4][6]

Double-murder[]

On October 17, 1976, James Demouchette and his younger brother, 18-year-old Christopher Demouchette, entered a Pizza Hut restaurant in Houston, where Geoff Hambrick was working as the restaurant manager, along with 19-year-old Scott Sorrell working as assistant manager, and Scott's roommate 22-year-old Robert “Chuck” White.[clarify] Hambrick told the two to leave because it was close to closing time. However, instead of leaving, James pulled out a 380. Caliber revolver and started shooting. During the shooting, both Sorrell and White were shot dead, while Hambrick was shot in the head, but was alive and pretended to play dead.[7] Both brothers then ransacked the back office and left the restaurant with stolen change.[8]

The Demouchette brothers were arrested not long after, and Hambrick identified and testified against the brothers. James was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to death in 1977, while Christopher was spared execution and instead given a life sentence.[3] He died on August 20, 2018, at the age of 60.[9]

Time on death row[]

In 1981, James’ sentence was overturned by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, arguing that Demouchette had not been told his right to remain silent prior to his clemency exam. In the new trial, he was again sentenced to death in April 1983.[1]

In August 1983, Demouchette fatally stabbed fellow inmate Johnny E. Swift a total of 16 times with a homemade knife while inside a prison dayroom. For this, Demouchette was given an additional life sentence, with his death sentences upheld.[1] Months later, he beat and stabbed two other inmates, both of whom survived. Around this time, Demouchette starting setting fires in his cell, destroying TV's and at one point he raped a cellmate. For this, the media started to get in touch with the case, and Demouchette was often referred to as “The Meanest Man on Death Row”.[2]

On January 6, 1988, Demouchette attacked corrections officers Charles Agee, 26, Scott Stoughton, 24, and Roger Barkin, 22, with a homemade knife after they attempted to search his cell for weapons.[5] None of the officers were seriously injured, but Agee sustained three puncture wounds to the right thigh.[5]

Execution[]

With his execution fast approaching, Demouchette's lawyers attempted to get the Supreme Court to review the case, but they ultimately did not decide to step in.[3] On September 22, 1992, Demouchette was executed by lethal injection, becoming the 10th inmate executed in Texas in 1992. He offered no last words. In total, he spent 15 years on death row.[7]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c "James Demouchette". Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
  2. ^ a b c "Meanest man on death row' executed in Texas". United Press International. 22 September 1992. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
  3. ^ a b c "'Meanest' inmate executed". Tulsa World. 22 September 1992. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
  4. ^ a b "'Meanest Man on Death Row' Executed in Texas". September 22, 1992.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  5. ^ a b c "'Meanest man on death row' stabs three guards". United Press International. 6 January 1988. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
  6. ^ "Texas Department of Criminal Justice".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  7. ^ a b "Texas Executes 'Meanest' Killer". The New York Times. 23 September 1992. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
  8. ^ "Two Charged In Slayings". United Press International. 19 October 1976. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
  9. ^ Care, Integrity Funeral. "Obituary for Christopher DeMouchette | Integrity Funeral Care". Obituary for Christopher DeMouchette | Integrity Funeral Care. Retrieved 2022-01-16.

Bibliography[]

  • Jermnine Demouchette (October 15, 2008). James Demouchette vs. the State of Texas. ISBN 9781604941623.

External links[]

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