Last Minute Hold Up in Murder of Three Teenage Boys in Amarillo

A cold winter day here in Amarillo saw John Balentine put an end to three teenage boys while they were sleeping back in 1998. It's been twenty-five years since that fateful night. There have been a few close calls after Balentine received the death penalty.

He was as close as less than an hour away back in 2012 before his execution. He has been close and given a reprieve several times over the years. It's like a cat-and-mouse game with lawyers and death row.

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His latest death date that he was given was actually coming up. February 8th was supposed to be his next chance at execution. A sentence he received back in 1999. That has been a while since he has been sitting on death row and awaiting his fate in Huntsville.

It's been a while since the family of the three boys has been waiting for a bit of closure. They are wanting to see Balentine pay for his crimes. Their families have been waiting a long twenty-five years to have an ending. They will never get their boys back but seeing the one responsible pay for his crimes may be a little bit of relief for them.

The most recent date of execution had been approaching, that was until a hold was on the execution. Why this time? His lawyer. Again. A Potter County judge ruled that his lawyer was not properly notified of the warrant of execution and execution date.

Well I will tell you something those three boys that he murdered were not properly notified that their lives were ending either. Where is the justice there? Hopefully the families of Edward Mark Caylor 17, Kai Brooke Geyer, 15, and Steven Brady Watson,15 will get the closure soon.

Those are the names we need to remember.