James Demouchette (May 20, 1955 – September 22, 1992)[1] was convicted and sentenced to death in Texas for the double-murder of two Pizza Hut clerks during a robbery in Houston in 1976.[2] He later gained infamy as the "Meanest Man on Death Row" for his deviant behavior, which began when he fatally stabbed another inmate with a homemade knife.[3] By the time of his execution in 1992, his case had attracted particular media attention and his case has also been used as an example by advocates of capital punishment.[2][4]
James Demouchette | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | May 20, 1955 Bexar County, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | September 22, 1992 (aged 37) Huntsville Unit, Huntsville, Texas, U.S. |
| Cause of death | Execution by lethal injection |
| Other names | "Doom" |
| Conviction(s) | Capital murder Murder Burglary Larceny |
| Criminal penalty | Death |
| Details | |
Span of crimes | 1976–1988 |
| Country | United States |
| State(s) | Texas |
| Killed | 4 (including a negligent homicide) |
| Injured | 6 (including 1 rape) |
| Weapons | .380 revolver homemade knife |
Date apprehended | October 18, 1976 |
Early life
editJames Demouchette was born on May 20, 1955, in Bexar County, Texas. As a child, he was known to set fires and kill stray dogs and cats. He failed elementary school multiple times due to his deviant behavior, for such he served time at a state school for juvenile delinquencies.[5] He also served time for negligent homicide as a juvenile and for larceny and burglary as an adult.[4][6]
Criminal offenses
edit1977 murder convictions
editOn October 17, 1976, James Demouchette and his younger brother, 18-year-old Christopher Demouchette, entered a Pizza Hut restaurant in Houston, where Geoff Hambrick was working as the restaurant manager, along with 19-year-old Scott Sorrell working as assistant manager, and Scott's roommate 22-year-old Robert “Chuck” White. Hambrick told the two to leave because it was close to closing time. However, instead of leaving, James pulled out a 380. Caliber revolver and started shooting. During the shooting, both Sorrell and White were shot dead, while Hambrick was shot in the head, but was alive and pretended to play dead.[7] Both brothers then ransacked the back office and left the restaurant with stolen change.[8]
The Demouchette brothers were arrested not long after, and Hambrick identified and testified against the brothers. James was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to death in 1977, while Christopher was spared execution and instead given a life sentence.[3] He died on August 20, 2018, at the age of 60.[9]
Death row
editIn 1981, James' sentence was overturned by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, arguing that Demouchette had not been told his right to remain silent prior to his clemency exam. In the new trial, he was again sentenced to death in April 1983.[1] In August 1983, Demouchette fatally stabbed fellow inmate Johnny E. Swift a total of 16 times with a homemade knife while inside a prison dayroom. For this, Demouchette was given an additional life sentence, with his death sentences upheld.[1] Months later, he beat and stabbed two other inmates, both of whom survived.
Demouchette also started setting fires in his cell, destroying TVs and at one point raped a cellmate. Following this, media attention surrounding the case began to increase, and Demouchette was nicknamed "The Meanest Man on Death Row".[2] On January 6, 1988, Demouchette attacked corrections officers Charles Agee, 26, Scott Stoughton, 24, and Roger Barkin, 22, with a homemade knife after they attempted to search his cell for weapons.[5] None of the officers were seriously injured, but Agee sustained three puncture wounds to the right thigh.[5]
Execution
editWith his execution fast approaching, Demouchette's lawyers attempted to get the Supreme Court to review the case, but they ultimately did not decide to step in.[3] On September 22, 1992, Demouchette was executed by lethal injection, becoming the 10th inmate executed in Texas in 1992. He offered no last words. In total, he spent 15 years on death row.[7]
He is buried at Captain Joe Byrd Cemetery.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c "James Demouchette". Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
- ^ a b c "Meanest man on death row' executed in Texas". United Press International. 22 September 1992. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
- ^ a b c "'Meanest' inmate executed". Tulsa World. 22 September 1992. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
- ^ a b "'Meanest Man on Death Row' Executed in Texas". Associated Press. September 22, 1992.
- ^ a b c "'Meanest man on death row' stabs three guards". United Press International. 6 January 1988. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
- ^ "Texas Department of Criminal Justice".
- ^ a b "Texas Executes 'Meanest' Killer". The New York Times. 23 September 1992. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
- ^ "Two Charged In Slayings". United Press International. 19 October 1976. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
- ^ Care, Integrity Funeral. "Obituary for Christopher DeMouchette | Integrity Funeral Care". Obituary for Christopher DeMouchette | Integrity Funeral Care. Retrieved 2022-01-16.
Bibliography
edit- Jermnine Demouchette (October 15, 2008). James Demouchette vs. the State of Texas. Wheatmark. ISBN 9781604941623.