Kenneth Edward Gentry

Kenneth Edward Gentry
Born Kenneth Edward Gentry
January 28, 1961
Died April 16, 1997 (1997-04-17) (aged 36)
Nationality American
Criminal penalty Death
Conviction(s) Murder

Kenneth Edward Gentry 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. Gentry previously escaped from a Georgia prison in July 1982 and was attempting to throw authorities off by assuming Ham's identity.[1] He had been serving 10 years in prison for assault before his escape.[2]

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.[3]

His last meal was a combination of butter beans, mashed potatoes, onions, tomatoes, biscuits, chocolate cake and Dr. Pepper.[4]

References

  1. ↑ "Texas Executes Killer of a Hitchhiker". 'New York Times. April 17, 1997. Retrieved October 15, 2010.
  2. ↑ Orlando Sentinel article Archived September 2, 2012, at the Wayback Machine.
  3. ↑ HomicideSurvivors.com article
  4. ↑ Price, Brian D. (2005). Meals to Die For. Artnik. p. 36. ISBN 1-903906-38-5. Retrieved October 15, 2010.
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