HUNTSVILLE, Texas (AP) — A Texas man was executed Wednesday evening for fatally stabbing his girlfriend and her 8-year-old son in 2013, apologizing profusely to her older son who survived with multiple stab wounds and witnessed the execution. Cedric Ricks, 51, was pronounced dead at 6:55 p.m. CDT following a lethal dose of the sedative pentobarbital at the state penitentiary in Huntsville. He was condemned for the May 2013 killings of 30-year-old Roxann Sanchez and her son Anthony Figueroa at their apartment in the greater Dallas-Fort Worth suburb of Bedford. Sanchez’s 12-year-old son, Marcus Figueroa, was stabbed 25 times and feigned death in order to survive.
Ricks apologized repeatedly to seven relatives of his victims who looked on, particularly Marcus Figueroa. The attack survivor showed no emotion, watching through a glass window just steps from where Ricks was strapped to a gurney. On the back of Marcus Figueroa’s neck, visible above his shirt collar and below his hair, were several scars apparently from the attack.
“I want to say that I’m sorry for taking Roxann and Anthony from y’all,” Ricks said when asked by the warden if he had a final statement. “I’m glad to be able to speak to tell y’all that face to face.”
He said he hoped one day that his victims’ relatives would be able to find it in their hearts to forgive him. He also addressed Marcus Figueroa, saying he hated that he took his mother and brother away.
“... I just can’t imagine, but I’m truly sorry for what I’ve done... I wish y’all peace and joy as much as you can but I’m sorry, that’s all I can say,” Ricks said, voice cracking as he expressed hope to find the woman and boy in heaven to apologize.
As the drug took effect, Ricks gasped while his body began to shut down, and he was pronounced dead 30 minutes later. Minimally emotional members of the victims' families were present but declined to speak with reporters afterward.
The night of the murders, Ricks and Sanchez were arguing when her sons intervened, leading Ricks to grab a knife from the kitchen. He then stabbed both Sanchez and her younger son, before attacking Marcus, who survived by pretending to be dead. Ricks was arrested days later in Oklahoma after fleeing the scene. He had a history of domestic violence against Sanchez.
This marks Ricks as the second person executed in Texas this year, where capital punishment continues to be a topic of significant debate.
Ricks apologized repeatedly to seven relatives of his victims who looked on, particularly Marcus Figueroa. The attack survivor showed no emotion, watching through a glass window just steps from where Ricks was strapped to a gurney. On the back of Marcus Figueroa’s neck, visible above his shirt collar and below his hair, were several scars apparently from the attack.
“I want to say that I’m sorry for taking Roxann and Anthony from y’all,” Ricks said when asked by the warden if he had a final statement. “I’m glad to be able to speak to tell y’all that face to face.”
He said he hoped one day that his victims’ relatives would be able to find it in their hearts to forgive him. He also addressed Marcus Figueroa, saying he hated that he took his mother and brother away.
“... I just can’t imagine, but I’m truly sorry for what I’ve done... I wish y’all peace and joy as much as you can but I’m sorry, that’s all I can say,” Ricks said, voice cracking as he expressed hope to find the woman and boy in heaven to apologize.
As the drug took effect, Ricks gasped while his body began to shut down, and he was pronounced dead 30 minutes later. Minimally emotional members of the victims' families were present but declined to speak with reporters afterward.
The night of the murders, Ricks and Sanchez were arguing when her sons intervened, leading Ricks to grab a knife from the kitchen. He then stabbed both Sanchez and her younger son, before attacking Marcus, who survived by pretending to be dead. Ricks was arrested days later in Oklahoma after fleeing the scene. He had a history of domestic violence against Sanchez.
This marks Ricks as the second person executed in Texas this year, where capital punishment continues to be a topic of significant debate.
