HUNTSVILLE, Texas (AP) -- A former East Texas truck repair shop owner has been executed tonight for the 1984 slaying of a 22-month-old Gregg County boy. The shooting spree also killed the child's parents.
Alvin Kelly thanked God, expressed love to friends and relatives and denied committing the murder that led to his execution.
"I pray this gives you some peace," Kelly said from the death chamber gurney, looking at four relatives of the slain family. "I know you believe that you're going to have closure tonight. As I stand before God today, the true judge, I had nothing to do with the death of your family."
Kelly said he would ask God to not hold that against them. At the same time, Kelly acknowledged killing another man for whom he was serving time when he was charged in the death of toddler Devin Morgan.
As the drugs were administered, Kelly began singing a hymn praising God for coming into his life. "I thank you Lord Jesus for remembering me ... ," he sang as the drugs took effect and he slipped into unconsciousness.
Kelly was the 10th Texas condemned prisoner executed this year.
