2004 Executions - Kevin Lee Zimmerman :
Executed January 21, 2004 at 6:19 p.m. in Texas by lethal injection.
Summary of the Murder: Zimmerman was sentenced to death for the brutal murder in a hotel room in Texas, of Leslie Gilbert Hooks, Jr. for the purpose of robbing him of his money.
Statistical Data:
Murderer - Kevin Lee Zimmerman
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Date of Birth - May 17, 1961
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Race - White
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Sex - Male
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Age when crime committed - 26
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Age when executed - 42
- Date of Sentence - June 19, 1990
Victim - Leslie Gilbert Hooks, Jr.
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Date of Murder - October 23, 1987
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Race - White
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Sex - Male
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Age when murdered - 33
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Method of Murder - Stabbing with knife
- Relationship to Murderer - Acquaintance
Details of the Crime:
Testimony in the Case:
A jury convicted Zimmerman of capital murder in June 1990 and sentenced him to death.
More Incidents While in Prison:
Also in 1992 Zimmerman and two other death row inmates attempted to escape by sawing through a recreation yard fence but were caught by the prison guards.
Procedural History:
In November 1999, Zimmerman filed his second habeas corpus petition in federal district court and collateral relief was ultimately denied on February 14, 2001.
August 2001 - Zimmerman filed his brief addressing the three COA issues along with a motion asking the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to expand the issues on which COA was granted. The court granted Zimmerman's request to cover an additional issue on August 1, 2002.
Following further briefing by both parties, the appeals court affirmed the district court's denial of habeas corpus relief on May 28, 2003. Zimmerman sought rehearing, which was denied on July 2, 2003.
On September 30, 2003, Zimmerman petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court for certiorari review of the Fifth Circuit's denial of COA as to his second issue, and the Fifth Circuit's denial of habeas relief as to the others. This petition is still pending.
Criminal History The evidence admitted during the punishment phase and derived from Zimmerman's penitentiary packet showed the following arrests:
- September 1979 for two separate charges of endangering people through reckless operation of a motor vehicle.
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January 28, 1980, in Louisiana for theft and forgery.
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August 8, 1980, in Louisiana for possession of marijuana.
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September 1980 for battery of a juvenile.
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January 18, 1981, for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.
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October 1982 for criminal trespassing, carrying a concealed weapon (a knife), disturbing the peace, and threatening to do bodily injury to an elderly neighbor. woman;
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January 24, 1983, for aggravated battery for stabbing a man who refused to turn over his car keys to enable Zimmerman to steal his car as well as fleeing from officers, resisting an officer, and battery on a police officer.
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August 30, 1985, in Louisiana for auto theft, resisting arrest, and possession of cocaine.
- November 11, 1985, in Louisiana for possession of cocaine.
The Execution: Zimmerman spent his last hours with his spiritual advisors and requested a last meal that included a double meat cheeseburger, almost-burned french fires, chocolate cake with lots of frosting, and milk.
He spoke his final words from the execution table. "Yes. Connie, Nanny, Bea, Kathy and Richard - I love you all and I thank you all very much for supporting me with your love. In the name of Jesus, I am sorry for the pain I caused you all. I am sorry. Gilbert didn't deserve to die and I want you all to know I am sorry. I pray that the good Lord will give you all peace. Okay."
He was pronounced dead at 6:19 p.m. by lethal injection.
