Nationality American Died April 16, 1997 | Name Kenneth Gentry Conviction(s) Murder | |
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Full Name Kenneth Edward Gentry | ||
Criminal penalty Capital punishment | ||
Kenneth Edward Gentry was an American criminal who was executed on April 16, 1997 for the murder of 23-year-old Jimmy Don Ham. The crime took place in Lewisville, Texas in 1983. Gentry previously escaped from a Georgia prison in July 1982 and was attempting to throw authorities off by assuming Ham's identity. He had been serving 10 years in prison for assault before his escape.
Prior to his execution, Gentry issued the following final statement: I'd like to thank the Lord for the past 14 years (on death row) to grow as a man and mature enough to accept what's happening here tonight. To my family, I'm happy. I'm going home to Jesus. As the lethal drugs began to flow, Gentry cried out: Sweet Jesus, here I come. Take me home. I'm going that way to see the Lord.
His last meal was a combination of butter beans, mashed potatoes, onions, tomatoes, biscuits, chocolate cake and Dr. Pepper.