Texas Death Row: A Look The Life & Crimes Of Every Inmate Executed In 2023

Compared to the late 90s/ early 2000s, 2023 was a slow year for executions in Texas. In 1998, Texas executed 50 people that year alone.

Despite the decrease, Texas led the nation in execution deaths this year, with eight individuals receiving the ultimate punishment. That represents a third of all executions in the U.S. Only five states executed inmates this year- Texas, Florida, Alabama, Oklahoma, and Missouri. Interestingly, Texas juries sentenced fewer people to death this year than Florida and California, so it's possible Texas won't be #1 in execution soon, despite our current reputation.

If executions are becoming more and more rare, what crimes are still calling for the ultimate punishment? Texas death penalty sentences can only be given if two conditions are met: the person is found guilty of a capital crime (like killing a police officer or a child under 15), and the person has demonstrated future dangerousness.

Here is a look at the eight men executed this year in Texas and the capital crimes they were convicted of committing: