Jason Massey
Jason Massey | |
---|---|
Born | Jason Eric Massey January 7, 1973 Ellis County, Texas, U.S. |
Died | April 3, 2001 Huntsville, Texas, U.S. | (aged 28)
Cause of death | Lethal injection |
Nationality | American |
Criminal charge | Murder |
Penalty | Death |
Details | |
Victims | 2 |
Date | July 27, 1993 |
Country | United States |
State(s) | Texas |
Weapons | .22-caliber pistol, knife[1] |
Jason Eric Massey (January 7, 1973 – April 3, 2001) was an American murderer who was executed in 2001 for the murders of two teenagers.[2]
Background[]
Massey was born on January 7, 1973, in Ellis County, Texas. He was neglected and abused by his alcoholic father and his drug-addicted mother. By his teens, he was a juvenile delinquent with a lengthy criminal record, mostly for torturing animals and stalking. His mother once committed him to a psychiatric hospital after discovering his journals, in which he detailed his fantasies about rape and murder, his hero worship of Charles Manson, his avowed Satanism, and his strong desire to become a serial killer. Massey was known to decapitate and mutilate dogs, cats, and cows, preserving their skulls in coolers as trophies.[3]
Crime[]
On July 27, 1993, Massey viciously murdered two teenagers: 14-year-old James Brian King and his 13-year-old stepsister, Christina Benjamin, in his hometown. Christina's death had been particularly gruesome; her head, hands and nipples had been cut off, her genitals mutilated, and her intestines removed.[4] King had been shot twice in the head.[5] On July 29, both their bodies were found in a field near Telico by a road worker.[6] There was evidence of sexual mutilation and some of the body parts were missing, which have never been found.[7]
Massey was quickly connected to the crime by forensic evidence and arrested, shortly after getting out of jail for animal cruelty. In October of the following year, he was found guilty of the murders and sentenced to death.[5] It took jurors only fifteen minutes to order his execution.[8] While on death row, he reportedly converted to Christianity.
Execution[]
Massey was executed by lethal injection on April 3, 2001.[3] Before his execution, he confessed his crime to the murdered teenagers' family and apologized.[9] His last meal consisted of three fried chicken quarters, fried squash, fried egg plant, mashed potatoes, snap peas, boiled cabbage, three bits of corn on the cob with spinach, broccoli and butter, and one pint of ice cream, served with a pitcher of sweet tea.[10]
In popular culture[]
Massey's crime was documented on an episode of the TV series Forensic Files called "Pure Evil". It is one of the few episodes rated TV-MA.[11]
See also[]
- Capital punishment in Texas
- Capital punishment in the United States
- List of people executed in Texas, 2000–2009
References[]
- ^ "Execution Report: Jason Massey - Page 1". www.txexecutions.org.
- ^ "Jason Eric Massey Offender Information". Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Retrieved November 11, 2007.
- ^ a b "Jason Eric Massey #706". www.clarkprosecutor.org. Retrieved 27 August 2017.
- ^ Ramsland, Katherine. "Bones to Talk With". Crime Library. Archived from the original on February 9, 2015. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
- ^ a b "Killer reportedly idolized Manson". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. October 9, 1994. p. 34. Retrieved December 31, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Texas killer executed for double murder". United Press International. April 3, 2001. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
- ^ "Convicted murderer Jason Massey executed". Houston Chronicle. April 2, 2001. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
- ^ "The Region | Waxahachie". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. October 13, 1994. p. 52. Retrieved December 31, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Last Statement". Texas Department of Criminal Justice. April 3, 2001. Retrieved November 11, 2007.
- ^ Evans, Sophie Jane (April 4, 2019). "Twisted killer Jason Massey made a chilling confession minutes before his execution". News.com.au. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
- ^ "Forensic Files 06x19 Pure Evil". YouTube. April 10, 2015. Archived from the original on December 31, 2021.
- 1973 births
- 2001 deaths
- 1993 murders in the United States
- American people convicted of murder
- People convicted of murder by Texas
- People executed by Texas by lethal injection
- People executed for murder
- 21st-century executions of American people
- 21st-century executions by Texas
- Crimes involving Satanism or the occult
- People from Ellis County, Texas
- Executed people from Texas