Texas death row inmate Richard Lee Tabler reflected on his crimes in his final moments, addressing the families of his victims before being executed by lethal injection.
On Thanksgiving in 2004, Tabler fatally shot Mohammed-Amine Rahmouni, 28, and Haitham Zayed, 25, in a remote area near Killeen, Texas.
Yesterday (February 13), Tabler, 46, was executed at Huntsville’s state penitentiary, with the victims’ families watching from behind a window.
Tabler had worked at TeaZers, a strip club managed by Rahmouni, but was later banned from the establishment. According to police, he enlisted a friend to help lure Rahmouni and Zayed out before shooting them while they sat in a car. He then dragged Rahmouni out and shot him again while having his friend record the act.
Tabler later confessed to the murders and also admitted to killing two young women who worked at the club, Tiffany Dotson, 18, and Amanda Benefield, 16, out of fear they might expose him. However, he later recanted this confession and was never tried for their deaths.
Convicted of murdering Rahmouni and Zayed, Tabler was sentenced to death. Though he repeatedly appealed, he later ordered the courts to drop his appeal and proceed with his execution, according to CBS News.
Concerns were raised about his mental state after two suicide attempts in prison. However, after his final execution date was set, he wrote to the state Court of Criminal Appeals on December 9, stating: “Petitioner has spent the last twenty years in the courts and sees no point in wasting this Court’s time, nor anyone else’s.”
During his execution, while strapped to the death chamber gurney, Tabler addressed the victims’ families, saying: “There is not a day that goes by that I don’t regret my actions.”
He continued, “I had no right to take your loved ones from you. I can only ask and pray that one day, you may find it in your hearts to forgive me for my actions.
“No words or apologies can ever bring them back.”
Tabler also expressed gratitude to prison officials for allowing him the opportunity to demonstrate his ability to change, grow, and rehabilitate.
Before the drugs were administered, he conveyed his love for his family and friends, repeatedly apologizing. His time of death was recorded at 6:38 p.m. CST.
Claudia Van Wyk, senior counsel at the ACLU’s Capital Punishment Project, stated ahead of Tabler’s execution: “Today, Texas intends to execute a man who has spent the last two decades demonstrating his capacity for growth, remorse, and redemption.”
“Those who know Richard understand that he is no longer the same person who was sentenced to death, he has transformed into a mentor and a source of support for those around him.
“Throughout his time on death row, Richard has dedicated himself to reflection, creativity, and self-improvement. It is deeply saddening that he will be denied the opportunity to continue his growth and guide others. He will be missed by many, both inside and outside of prison, and our thoughts are with his loved ones.”
During Tabler’s execution, George Dotson, Tiffany’s father, and Tom Newton, her godfather, were present. Newton solemnly stated, “Today is for Tiffany. And this is justice.”
