Joy
05-17-2002, 08:22 AM
Liberty County man exected for son's murder
By Mark Passwaters/Staff Writer
A Liberty County man sentenced to death for beating his 11-month-old son to death was executed Thursday night in the death chamber of the Huntsville "Walls" Unit.
Ronford Lee Styron Jr., 33, was convicted and sentenced to death by a Liberty County jury after he punched his son, Lee Styron, causing fatal injuries. Under Texas law, the killing of any person under the age of 6 can automatically be considered a capital case.
On Thursday, Styron waved his fingers at his family and friends through the wraps used to bind him to the gurney as he began his final statement at 6:12 p.m.
"I know where I am going," Styron said. Addressing his family, he added, "I want to see you there, so get your heart right. You know I love you and care for you."
Styron then said, "I am going to go see my little boy now and I'm going to have some fun with him."
Choking back tears, Styron addressed his family a final time, saying, "Y'all take care and I love y'all."
The fatal dose of chemicals was administered to Styron at 6:13 p.m., and he lost consciousness looking at his family. He was pronounced dead at 6:20 p.m.
According to information provided by the Texas State Attorney General's office, Styron punched his son, Lee, three times in the head on Oct. 23, 1993. Styron refused to take his son to the hospital for three days in spite of blackouts and abnormal activity. It was determined that Lee Styron's death was caused by massive head trauma, which could have been caused by any of the three punches thrown by his father.
Styron, who said he did not believe the child was actually his and was the product of an alleged affair by his wife, abused the infant repeatedly.
It was alleged Styron dunked the baby in ice water, squeezed him hard enough to break his ribs, and shook him hard enough to cause retinal hemorrhages. Lee Styron suffered at least 10 broken bones in his 11-month life.
Ronford Styron was arrested shortly after his son's death and was formally indicted on murder charges on Dec. 1, 1993. During his trial, the prosecution told the jury Styron had a history of committing violent acts. He was discharged from the military after striking his sergeant and had attacked one of his neighbors, breaking his jaw.
Styron was found guilty of killing his son Oct. 24, 1994, and was sentenced to death three days later. Numerous appeals to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and to the United States Supreme Court were denied.
By Mark Passwaters/Staff Writer
A Liberty County man sentenced to death for beating his 11-month-old son to death was executed Thursday night in the death chamber of the Huntsville "Walls" Unit.
Ronford Lee Styron Jr., 33, was convicted and sentenced to death by a Liberty County jury after he punched his son, Lee Styron, causing fatal injuries. Under Texas law, the killing of any person under the age of 6 can automatically be considered a capital case.
On Thursday, Styron waved his fingers at his family and friends through the wraps used to bind him to the gurney as he began his final statement at 6:12 p.m.
"I know where I am going," Styron said. Addressing his family, he added, "I want to see you there, so get your heart right. You know I love you and care for you."
Styron then said, "I am going to go see my little boy now and I'm going to have some fun with him."
Choking back tears, Styron addressed his family a final time, saying, "Y'all take care and I love y'all."
The fatal dose of chemicals was administered to Styron at 6:13 p.m., and he lost consciousness looking at his family. He was pronounced dead at 6:20 p.m.
According to information provided by the Texas State Attorney General's office, Styron punched his son, Lee, three times in the head on Oct. 23, 1993. Styron refused to take his son to the hospital for three days in spite of blackouts and abnormal activity. It was determined that Lee Styron's death was caused by massive head trauma, which could have been caused by any of the three punches thrown by his father.
Styron, who said he did not believe the child was actually his and was the product of an alleged affair by his wife, abused the infant repeatedly.
It was alleged Styron dunked the baby in ice water, squeezed him hard enough to break his ribs, and shook him hard enough to cause retinal hemorrhages. Lee Styron suffered at least 10 broken bones in his 11-month life.
Ronford Styron was arrested shortly after his son's death and was formally indicted on murder charges on Dec. 1, 1993. During his trial, the prosecution told the jury Styron had a history of committing violent acts. He was discharged from the military after striking his sergeant and had attacked one of his neighbors, breaking his jaw.
Styron was found guilty of killing his son Oct. 24, 1994, and was sentenced to death three days later. Numerous appeals to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and to the United States Supreme Court were denied.