Convicted Central Texas Killer Among 12 On “Death Watch”
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Convicted Central Texas Killer Among 12 On “Death Watch” Save Email Print
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(October 12, 2008)—A convicted Central Texas killer is among 12 death row inmates whose executions are scheduled over the next six weeks.

Denard Manns was sentenced to death in 2002 in Bell County for the 1998 murder of Army Spc. Michelle Robson, who was sexually assaulted and shot in the head and chest.

Prosecutors said Manns took credit cards and cash from the victim’s residence in Killeen and fled in her car.

He was arrested after the murder on an unrelated weapons charge, but was charged in the killing after forensic tests linked the firearm to the murder.

He’s scheduled to receive a lethal injection on Nov. 13.

Two executions are scheduled for next week, two for the week after and two more the week after that.

Six more inmates, including Manns, are set to die in November.

“It's just the way of Texas,” said inmate Alvin Kelly, who’s the first of the 12 set to die when he heads to the state death chamber in Huntsville on Tuesday.

Kelly, unlike some of his fellow prisoners, says he looks forward to dying, but insists evidence in his case was manipulated and that he's innocent of shooting of 22-month-old Devin Morgan to death in East Texas in 1984.

The toddler's parents, Jerry and Brenda Morgan, were gunned down at the same time.
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Posted by: Just sayin is all Location: ft Hood on Oct 14, 2008 at 02:06 PM
Marlin - I agree with most of what you say, but what do you mean we have less freedom nowadays? Not arguing, just curious
Posted by: Marlin Location: Texas on Oct 14, 2008 at 11:51 AM
To RE in Waco.... We have TOO MUCH FREEDOM!?!?!? No, we don't, we have too little freedom! I am 55 years old and can tell you that the country we have today is NOT as free as it was when I was young. I think that what you meant was "We have too many people excusing criminals today." That we can agree on. When you excuse criminal conduct it makes it that less free for all honest people. Personally, I think that any appeals processes could be completed within five years, then they get the needle (or rope if it were my preference). The prison system should require video taping of the executions and show them on the televisions in the prisons we are forced to allow the criminals (instead of whatever they are showing now). Also, EVERYONE should be held to the same standards in the law. Color, Race, Religion, or anything else should not matter. I personally volunteer to be the one executing the criminals. Do the crime? Die for it!
Posted by: Just sayin is all Location: Ft Hood on Oct 14, 2008 at 11:25 AM
Erin, I know where you come from. I want things speeded along, and believe in the Death Penalty. On the other hand I hate the thought of an innocent person getting executed. What WOULD be nice is people owning up to what they did. Admitting thier guilt for a change.
Posted by: stacy Location: killeen on Oct 14, 2008 at 08:34 AM
As a pre-law student I have to say that the death penalty is used excessively in Texas, and do not get me wrong, I believe that these monsters who prey on our children, and kill innocent people should be punished to the full extent of the law if there is sufficient evidence linking them to the crim in question. However, before a criminal should receive the death penalty, I feel that we should go the extra mile and make certain that this person did comment this offense because if they didn't, and they are executed, there is nothing the courts or anyoen else can say or do to change their fate. I also agree that spending 25 years on death row is absurd, but you have to ask yourself, why did this inmate spend so long on death row? He was probably appealing his case, or trying to get a new trial. Inmates are smarter than the public give them credit for, believe me, I used to work at a prison. All they have is time on their hands, time to try and manipulate the system!
Posted by: Let'um do it on Oct 14, 2008 at 08:26 AM
No need to have these killers on "Death Watch" If they want to do it themselves,then better for us.
Posted by: erin Location: waco on Oct 13, 2008 at 09:30 PM
Okay, I agree and disagree... let me explain myself before I get jumped all over. I totally agree with an eye for an eye, if you take someone's life, then so be it. Yes, we as taxpayers have paid for "3 hots and a cot" for Kelly since 1984, I do think that there needs to be a speedier process when it comes to a death row inmate. The only drawback I can see is the few people that have been set free after DNA evidence proved them innocent after serving years on death row. I'm just not sure if there is a happy medium due to those few exceptions. And I do mean few exceptions. There are far more guilty inmates on death row than innocent inmates due to the forensic advancements. Again, I have mixed opinions with this topic, not as if it really matters..lol
Posted by: Patriot Location: Texas on Oct 13, 2008 at 02:28 PM
Re in Waco Tx....I agree, sentence and hang with no delay. But, what you see today is what liberalism has done for our country.
Posted by: gary Location: central tx. on Oct 13, 2008 at 07:59 AM
the so called express lane should have been in full toll long before now
Posted by: Re Location: Waco Tx on Oct 13, 2008 at 12:53 AM
Ok..I am confused..why is a person put on death row for almost 25 years??? Wouldn't it be easier and not so costly just to do what they did in the old days: hang them, like they did Suddam? I honestly think if it came to that AGAIN, the crime rate would probably go down..make an example of a convicted felon. One who has taken someone elses life. One who has sexually assaulted a child or woman, or anybody for that matter. One who is a repeated offender...it sounds good in Re's World. I think the problem is this: we have too much freedom and too many chances to get away with breaking the law. Thats why it happens so often..not to mention our generation is not a model one. I am 30 and when I was 12, in junior high, at least half of the girls in my class were pregnant..thats just a small part of what I am trying to say. There is not enough "characters" left for me to go from that to my point, so I will just stop here. Take it how you want. Say I'm off the subject..think about it, though....
Posted by: Lynne Location: Gatesville on Oct 12, 2008 at 08:14 PM
WOW, Texas has opened up the express lane again to the death house.
Posted by: Heart-Of-Texas Location: Waco on Oct 12, 2008 at 12:04 PM
Remember, It costs 'US' the Taxpayers over $50,000 a year, per-person to hold Them! (And only $85.00 to inject them!! GOD HAVE MERCY ON 'US'(and the victims)!! Back-To-The-Future!!
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