Texas Death Row Inmate Pulls Out Eye, Eats It
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Texas Death Row Inmate Pulls Out Eye, Eats It Save Email Print
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(January 9, 2009)—A Texas death row inmate with a history of mental problems who killed and then ripped out the hearts of his estranged wife and two young children has pulled out and eaten his only good eye, prison officials said Friday.

Andre Thomas, 25, plucked out his right eye while in jail awaiting trial in Sherman for the March 2004 stabbing deaths of his estranged wife Laura Christine Boren, 20, his 13-month-old daughter Leyha Marie Hughes and his 4-year-old son Andre Lee.

A judge later ruled he was competent to stand trial.

He was sentenced to die for the murder of the 13-month-old girl.

A death-row officer at the Polunsky Unit of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice found Thomas in his cell with blood on his face and took him to the prison infirmary.

According to agency spokesman Jason Clark, "Thomas said he pulled out his eye and subsequently ingested it."

Thomas was treated at East Texas Medical Center in Tyler after the incident on Dec. 9 and then was transferred to a prison psychiatric facility near Houston where he remained Friday.
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Posted by: Scott Location: SW Asia on Jan 15, 2009 at 08:52 AM
Sorry, yep. I intend to be on the first plane home as soon as my tour is done here. Two years in the desert is more than enough for me. I just hope not everyone at home is as judgmental as this crowd. ;-)
Posted by: Luckenbach Location: Texas on Jan 14, 2009 at 08:57 AM
It's time to let it go now folks. Texas will decide whether or not to put this fellow to death or to give him life without parole.
Posted by: Yep Location: Cove on Jan 13, 2009 at 12:58 PM
Scott. Do us all a favor and stay in SW Asia. The people posting here are doing something called "letting off steam". By the way, calling us animals does a great diservice to animals....lol
Posted by: Yep Location: Cove on Jan 13, 2009 at 07:43 AM
OK, this guy killed and ripped the hearts out of his wife and kids. Now he has eaten his own eye. I think we can all agree he is very sick. You say he needs help. ok, we help him and he is cured. What then? Do we let him go because he is cured? Kill him then? Let him live out the rest of his life in prison? Personally I believe he should get the punishment he was givin.
Posted by: Rob Location: Texas on Jan 13, 2009 at 02:57 AM
There is a point where mankind is no longer human. They have sunk to the depths of lower animals, especiallly in this case. Catch a fox in a trap and see how long it takes him to chew his leg off to get free. Same thing here. He is looking to escape death. Would you want to stand before God for your judgment if you had murdered your family and ripped their hearts out? This man is not insane because he is no longer human.
Posted by: Scott Location: SW Asia on Jan 12, 2009 at 09:35 PM
You know, I don't think I have ever been quite so ashamed of being from Texas. I am personally a strong proponent of the death penalty in those cases in which it is justified. And, the crime this man committed is certainly worthy of the death penalty. But, when did we sink to the level of the bloodthirsty Roman mob? Regardless of what he has done, he still a human. It looks to me like the animals are the ones posting the blogs.
Posted by: Confused Location: Waco on Jan 12, 2009 at 04:58 PM
And why are waisting money on him again?
Posted by: w Location: tx on Jan 12, 2009 at 02:40 PM
your blog site freakin sucks i dont know why kwtx even has one when you don't post everyone's comments, you all must be a bunch of liberals or something, hallelujah for FOX news and Bill O' Reilly at least they are a fair and honest network media and i am sure that's why Josh Beck is leaving another sucky network like yours (CNN) to go to THE NUMBER 1 NETWORK for real news
Posted by: p Location: mexia on Jan 12, 2009 at 02:18 PM
Great Adam wants him in a psychiatric facility... he'll end at at Mexia State School and attend the high school.
Posted by: carla Location: waco on Jan 12, 2009 at 12:52 PM
I say put him back in the cell and let him eat himself up. What he doesn't eat we can put in the trash.
Posted by: George Location: clifton on Jan 12, 2009 at 12:29 PM
Why would anybody be surprised, he did worst to his victims? Now he wants us to feel sorry for him, NOT in this lifetime!! He's not mentally ill he's just EVIL!! He can still injected with or without eyes.
Posted by: Anon Location: Waco on Jan 12, 2009 at 12:10 PM
Obviously this guys does have some problems. I do believe eye for an eye, but in this case (although I don't have all the facts) this guy needed some professional help. To pull your own eye ball out and eat it, this goes to show he has more problems than anyone can even imagine. I am not against the death penaly, I used to work at one of the prisons in Huntsville and I first hand know what kind of weirdos we got in the prison system (most that just need to be done away with). I do think that this guy needs mental help and we don't need to just do away with him, despite what he has done.
Posted by: Huh? Location: wacko on Jan 12, 2009 at 10:42 AM
Sooo.... Did he eat one eye while in jail awaiting trial and then eat his other eye while on death row?
Posted by: susan Location: waco on Jan 12, 2009 at 10:17 AM
i'm sure the other inmates will want to get rid of him quick, i wouldn't want to be housed with a crazy maniac.
Posted by: Just sayin is all Location: Ft Hood on Jan 12, 2009 at 10:06 AM
To - Wisest one of All Location: Earth on While I agree with you sentiment completely. I cant stand when people write "Proven Fact!"
Posted by: Crazy my foot on Jan 12, 2009 at 09:51 AM
Notice he wasn't crazy enough to take his own life,now that's crazy.He is still alive and two people are dead because of this fool.He probabaly hears voices too,Why don't the voices ever tell someone to sit down and shut up or do something productive?
Posted by: To Lisa Location: Waco on Jan 12, 2009 at 09:22 AM
Lisa, this man has now plucked out both eyes. The first one was while he was awaiting trial; then, he ripped his good eye out and ate it recently. This is about as close to crazy as you can get... Yuck.
Posted by: Anonymous on Jan 12, 2009 at 08:49 AM
someone can't stand to see them-self on a daily basis. COMPETENT, YOU BET! He knew exactly what he had done. I believe he more than likely took his eye out, to get himself out of where he was in the prison system. Maybe he was being threatened by other prisoners. What kind of person would remove his own wife and own children's heart. People like that are a waste of tax-payers money. He should have been lethal-injected about 24-hours after he was arrested. If the justice system had definite evidence, that proved his guilt hands down. 100% proof. Then he should been injected. The tax-payers can't afford things as they are. Let alone paying for someone like him to go to prison, get a roof over his head, warm meal, education. NO WAY! He is a waste of the tax-payers money.
Posted by: Mother Of Five Location: Texas on Jan 12, 2009 at 06:49 AM
This is nuts,if he's already been sentenced to death then do it.why go for the next trial? This is just a sck attempt to try to get the insanity plea to work so he can get out and hard working people have to keep paying for him to live... Just kill him like you would a rabid dog.Like he did his family.Did he have simpathy for the mother of his kids,or his own babies??? Why show him simpathy?? This is why our prisons and death rows are so full..Old fashioned oak tree and rope will take care of the death row population problem.....
Posted by: me2 Location: Waco on Jan 12, 2009 at 03:32 AM
All I can say is OH MY GOD!!!!
Posted by: S Location: Robinson on Jan 11, 2009 at 11:16 PM
EUTHANSIA is the deliberate killing of a person for the benefit of that person. I say we give him the benefit that he is due.
Posted by: Responding to Adam, in the UK Location: TEXAS on Jan 11, 2009 at 11:32 AM
Adam, if you think this nut belongs in a psych unit, perhaps you did not read the story very well, and I quote from above "A judge later ruled he was competent to stand trial" The judge ruled that he was COMPETENT to stand trial. Adam do you know what that means? COMPETENT means that he is not insane, not crazy. He is EVIL, pure EVIL. So before you post a comment, make sure you have the story straight.
Posted by: Responding to :Adam Location: UK on Jan 10, 2009 at 06:31 AM Location: TEXAS on Jan 11, 2009 at 11:24 AM
Say chum, you say "we" have psych facilities to help people, yet we kill them? Let me educate you on something, alot of people kill people or committ other types of various crimes then try the insanity defense. Some are insane, some are not. Maybe the judge / jury saw something that indicated he was not insane, I dont know, cant say since I wasnt there.BUT, I can tell you that he considered himself, judge, jury and excutioner for 3 people. You live in the UK, this is Texas, chap! So until you understand OUR laws, etc....Keep your comments in England, Britan, UK, or where ever you are.
Posted by: El Diablo Location: Hell on Jan 11, 2009 at 09:49 AM
You can't help but get some morbid laughs out of this story, but it is still tragic. Adam, most people here are brainless gasbags who wouldn't have the guts to pull a trigger or flip a death switch. The fact is, though, that this guy is costing precious tax dollars that could be better spent on upgrading our infrastructure or better equipment for our military personnel. I, on the other hand, have no conscience and therefore no problems with taking him out behind the barn and ventilating him.
Posted by: jerry Location: 76513 on Jan 11, 2009 at 08:03 AM
I agree with bub
Posted by: Luckenbach Location: Texas on Jan 11, 2009 at 06:30 AM
AWESOME!!!
Posted by: Mel Location: Wacky Waco on Jan 10, 2009 at 11:51 PM
For his last meal, serve him cow eyeballs on a pizza.
Posted by: Disgusted Location: TEXAS on Jan 10, 2009 at 07:52 PM
Does this count as his last meal?
Posted by: Mem Location: Waco on Jan 10, 2009 at 06:57 PM
Give him a knife, fork and spoon.
Posted by: Anonymous Location: teague on Jan 10, 2009 at 06:28 PM
give him some ketchup and tell him eat himself up and take some more inmates with him...... it would be like a buffet in prison for him
Posted by: BB Location: BosqueCo on Jan 10, 2009 at 06:16 PM
Eye think thats gross.
Posted by: bub Location: hallsburg on Jan 10, 2009 at 06:07 PM
I've got a comment for Adam in the U.K.Go back home, boy. This is Texas and we like it this way. Maybe we should put in an express lane in Huntsville. Oh, by the way, the harm this idiot is doing is costing us a lot of money keeping him alive.
Posted by: krystal a Location: whitney tx on Jan 10, 2009 at 05:03 PM
tell me one thing... how come a sick soon to be dead man can eat his own eye and it makes headlines, when a buddy of mine was almost killed ny an arian brotherhood member who sneeks in his house at 4 in the morning and slices his throut and it doesnt make headlines?? as a tax paying citizen id rather know there is an attempted murder on the loose than a man eatin his eye who is of no threat to the free world??? man the news these days is wack.
Posted by: spik Location: g-ville on Jan 10, 2009 at 04:12 PM
meh
Posted by: Someone Location: Near-Here on Jan 10, 2009 at 12:49 PM
This murderer should have been Lethal-Injected yesrs ago!!! Absolutely of no good what-so-ever- to Society!!! Get it over with!!
Posted by: Wisest one of All Location: Earth on Jan 10, 2009 at 12:27 PM
Wrong Adam. He should NOT be in a psychiatric facility, he should be in a grave and hopefully soon! Proven Fact!
Posted by: Louise Location: Hewitt on Jan 10, 2009 at 11:52 AM
Ewwwwww. There's always room for jello! Probably didn't want to have to look the victims' family in the eye when they stick the needle in him.
Posted by: TRAVIS Location: killeen on Jan 10, 2009 at 11:50 AM
SAVE us some money juice him already
Posted by: Tina Location: Waco on Jan 10, 2009 at 09:36 AM
One less meal thay have to serve on death row ...get it over with and stop wasting our tax dollars!!
Posted by: lucy on Jan 10, 2009 at 08:10 AM
what's next on the menu!!!!!
Posted by: uknow Location: here on Jan 10, 2009 at 07:41 AM
You know that the "eye" is over 90& water. Guess he was thirsty and a bit mad as a hatter ........... Now he is a dummy and gonna get the needle too!
Posted by: Mary Location: Cove on Jan 10, 2009 at 07:05 AM
Stop wasting time. Carry out his punishment now and put him out of our misery.
Posted by: Adam Location: UK on Jan 10, 2009 at 06:31 AM
This person shouldn't have been in the penal system in the first place; we have psychiatric facilities to help people yet the response is to kill him? What harm is he doing in a prison facility now?
Posted by: ROGER Location: KILLEEN on Jan 10, 2009 at 05:26 AM
HMM sounds like we have a problem NASA ?
Posted by: Anonymous Location: TX on Jan 10, 2009 at 03:22 AM
Turn him loose in New York.
Posted by: Katy Location: Bryan on Jan 9, 2009 at 11:25 PM
I have a 14 month old son so reading this story really got to me. This guy really needs to die sooner rather than later. This kind of story sure makes me proud to be a part of society...
Posted by: Steve Location: northeast of Waco on Jan 9, 2009 at 09:38 PM
All I can say is it's a good thing we live in an advanced society and don't believe there's such a thing as demon possession.
Posted by: lisa on Jan 9, 2009 at 07:44 PM
pure evil!!!!
Posted by: Bobbert Location: unknown on Jan 9, 2009 at 07:29 PM
That's a good one. This about tops all of the crazy stuff I've heard. Some people are so consumed by evil, they are capable of doing any thing. I don't think he's mentally ill. I think he's just plain evil.
Posted by: Dan Location: SC on Jan 9, 2009 at 07:25 PM
Talk about eye candy
Posted by: Wisest one of All Location: Earth on Jan 9, 2009 at 07:01 PM
HAHAHAHAHA! Too funny! Seriously, someone should hand that boy something to slice his carotid artery with. Now that would be doing the planet a favor.
Posted by: Lisa Location: Temple on Jan 9, 2009 at 05:29 PM
KWTX Needs to proofread their stories Did the guy eat his eye while awaiting trial? "Andre Thomas, 25, plucked out his right eye while in jail awaiting trial in Sherman for the March 2004 stabbing deaths" , or did he do it while waiting on Death row for us to put a needle in him.. and we learn of this a month later. Still A SICKO that needs the needle
Posted by: Anonymous Location: Round Town on Jan 9, 2009 at 05:09 PM
If you would have executed him sooner he would have been able to see the juice flowing into his body. What a shame !!!
Posted by: Dr. Who Location: Waco on Jan 9, 2009 at 05:02 PM
Mentally incompetant or not, just put him down. There is no reason for this beast to live.
Posted by: YUCK Location: here on Jan 9, 2009 at 04:35 PM
THIS IS DISGUSTING! get rid of him now and don't let him even live to breathe air one more day! sick sick poor excuse of a man!
Posted by: Susie Location: Central Texas on Jan 9, 2009 at 04:19 PM
OH PLEASE! He probably did this to get attention and to get a evaluation from the men in white coats. He's guilty....gas him and quite taking up space!!!!
Posted by: Bob Location: Belton on Jan 9, 2009 at 02:49 PM
Just give him the needle and get it over with...
Posted by: NANA Location: CENTRAL TX. on Jan 9, 2009 at 02:34 PM
THIS IS TOTALLY ONE SICK MAN.HE WAS SENTENCED TO DEATH THEN SO IT SHALL BE.WHY WASTE TAXPAYERS MONEY TO KEEP HIM IN A PSYCHIATRIC FACILITY.
Posted by: kat Location: waco on Jan 9, 2009 at 02:25 PM
what a loser. he deserves to die!
Posted by: Michael Location: Kempner on Jan 9, 2009 at 02:24 PM
Trying for the insanity defense.
Posted by: Texas Location: Texas on Jan 9, 2009 at 02:14 PM
Guess he wanted Hell to be suprise he had to feel and not see.
Posted by: Sue Location: Waco on Jan 9, 2009 at 01:58 PM
Sick Sick Sick but still needs the death penalty for what he has done Let him rot you know where.
Posted by: marty Location: belton on Jan 9, 2009 at 01:43 PM
just put this useless idiot down. enough baby sitting insane window lickers
Posted by: TAXPAYER Location: WACO on Jan 9, 2009 at 01:38 PM
THIS ANIMAL IS OF NO USE TO SOCEITY. GAS HIM!!
Posted by: kg Location: waco on Jan 9, 2009 at 01:37 PM
this is bad... please don't waste tax payers money on him. Just a bullet to the temple.
Posted by: Mrs. Johnson on Jan 9, 2009 at 01:30 PM
That is sick...He really needs help.
Posted by: Brandi on Jan 9, 2009 at 01:27 PM
EWWWW!!!!!! This guy has issues
Posted by: Anonymous Location: texas on Jan 9, 2009 at 01:06 PM
why is this fool even still alive ,fry him
Posted by: george Location: waco on Jan 9, 2009 at 01:06 PM
At least he could have donated it.
Posted by: Bill G. Location: Waco on Jan 9, 2009 at 12:50 PM
Time to put down another rabid dog.
Posted by: Anonymous on Jan 9, 2009 at 12:41 PM
CRAZY ANIMAL! PUT HIM DOWN!
Posted by: bob Location: here on Jan 9, 2009 at 12:36 PM
so! a lot of inmates will do stupid things to made someone think that they are crazy and get out of their sentence. and eye for an eye and a heart for a heart. let him pull his heart out!
Posted by: ashlye Location: waco on Jan 9, 2009 at 12:33 PM
Oh my lord just execute him before he kills himself or someone at the prison.
Posted by: Love Location: Waco on Jan 9, 2009 at 11:55 AM
WHAT?
Posted by: George Location: Temple on Jan 9, 2009 at 11:54 AM
Needs to keep eating....
Posted by: Anonymous1 Location: Waco on Jan 9, 2009 at 11:51 AM
The judge ruled him mentally competent to stand trial? This guy is as far from competent as you can get. As much as he deserves his heart to be ripped out, he is obviously insane...even being insane, he's never going to get out of the prison system.
Posted by: John Location: Killeen on Jan 9, 2009 at 11:46 AM
What a sick guy!! Execute him now!!!
Posted by: Waco Location: Texas on Jan 9, 2009 at 11:38 AM
I'm sitting here eating lunch, and surprisingly enough, I'm not that hungry anymore....
Posted by: J.O.M. Location: Earth on Jan 9, 2009 at 11:27 AM
Eye for an eye.......for dinner!
Posted by: PINKY Location: BELTON on Jan 9, 2009 at 11:22 AM
ALL I GOTTA SAY IS OMG GO FIGURE!!!
Posted by: Just sayin is all Location: Ft Hood on Jan 9, 2009 at 11:20 AM
wow, Prison food must really suck. Good.
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