Kenneth Edward Gentry

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Kenneth Edward Gentry
Born
Kenneth Edward Gentry

(1961-01-28)January 28, 1961
DiedApril 16, 1997(1997-04-16) (aged 36)
Cause of deathExecution by lethal injection
NationalityCherokee & white American
Other namesUsed his brothers names
OccupationJack of many trades
Criminal statusExecuted
Spouse(s)Ex-wife; Lynn
ChildrenBrandi Lynn
Parent(s)Elmer & Betty
MotiveUrged by his aunt and uncle to find a new identity
Conviction(s)Capital murder
Criminal penaltyDeath (March 5, 1984)
Date apprehended
September 15, 1983

Kenneth Edward Gentry (January 28, 1961 – April 16, 1997)[1] was an American criminal who was executed on April 16, 1997 for the murder of 23-year-old Jimmy Don Ham. The crime took place in Lewisville, Texas in 1983, technically Pilot Point. Gentry previously escaped from a Georgia prison in July 1982 and was attempting to throw authorities off by assuming Ham's identity.[2] He had been serving 10 years in prison for assault before his escape.[3]

Prior to his execution, Gentry issued the following final statement: I'd like to thank the Lord for the past 14 years (on death row) to grow as a man and mature enough to accept what's happening here tonight. To my family, I'm happy. I'm going home to Jesus. As the lethal drugs began to flow, Gentry cried out: Sweet Jesus, here I come. Take me home. I'm going that way to see the Lord.[4]

His last meal was a combination of butter beans, mashed potatoes, onions, tomatoes, biscuits, chocolate cake and Dr. Pepper.[5]

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References[]

  1. ^ "Death Row Information". Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
  2. ^ "Texas Executes Killer of a Hitchhiker". 'New York Times. April 17, 1997. Retrieved October 15, 2010.
  3. ^ Orlando Sentinel article Archived September 2, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ "HomicideSurvivors.com article". Archived from the original on 2011-07-12. Retrieved 2010-10-15.
  5. ^ Price, Brian D. (2005). Meals to Die For. Artnik. p. 36. ISBN 1-903906-38-5. Retrieved October 15, 2010.
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