Court Halts Execution
Save Email Print
Bookmark and Share
Court Halts Execution
A state appeals court Thursday halted the execution of 43-year-old death row inmate convicted of abducting, raping and killing his ex-girlfriend’s 11-year-old daughter.
width:200 and height: 213 and picwidth: 200 and pciheight: 213
Font Size:

(October 23, 2008)—A state appeals court late Thursday morning halted the execution of death row inmate Bobby Wayne Woods, 43, who was convicted of abducting, raping and killing his ex-girlfriend’s 11-year-old daughter.

Woods was to have been executed Thursday evening in Huntsville.

The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, however, stopped the execution after Woods’ attorneys raised claims that the inmate is mentally retarded and ineligible for execution under U.S. Supreme Court standards.

Prosecutors said Woods raped Sarah Patterson and then abducted her and her 9-year-old brother Cody in 1997 from their home southwest of Fort Worth.

They say he beat the boy so violently that skull fragments later had to be removed from the youngster’s brain, and then left Cody for dead in a cemetery.

Then, they say, he slashed the girl’s throat.

Woods denied responsibility and blamed the death on a cousin who subsequently committed suicide.

Prosecutors convinced a jury otherwise.

Woods' trial was moved to Llano in Central Texas in 1998 because of extensive publicity in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

Woods would have bee the second Texas prisoner executed this week and 13th this year.

Two more men face execution next week in the country's most active death penalty state.

Latest Comments

Posted by: Me on Oct 24, 2008 at 10:20 AM

Kill him.. that's what he deserves
Posted by: Marlin Location: Texas on Oct 24, 2008 at 09:39 AM

Mentally Retarded....okay. Did he know it was wrong to rape and kill? Yes. In that case, I don't care how "Mentally Retarded" he and his taxpayer paid lawyers claim he is. Give him the needle and bury what's left.
Posted by: william Location: waco on Oct 24, 2008 at 05:13 AM

When are we going to wake up and start holding judges, lawyers and parole boards accountable for their insanely assanine decisions??? He was found guilty, he should be allowed 30 days for an appeal, new evidence etc. Go back before the same judge and jury, if the coviction is upheld carry out the sentence the next day PERIOD.
More Stories
KWTX.com Features
Double Dollar Deals
Half Price Deals at Central Texas restaurants and businesses. A new deal every Thursday at 7:00am.
Law Line
This free service can help you find answers to your legal questions about personal injury, criminal law, bankruptcy, family law and more.
Army Way
Learn all about the symbols, traditions, and customs of the US Army.
Job of the Week
Click now to see hundreds of other jobs on Job Board TV!


Catering Ambassador - If you are an expert at customer service, love sales & McAlister’s Deli’s sweet tea then come work for us! We are looking for an energetic, friendly, self-starter who has experience with both sales and customer service for their Catering Ambassador position. Join the McAlister’s team!

Also, take a look at the most recent jobs posted to Job Board TV at KWTX.com: View More Jobs.