Texas Man Faces 2023’s First U.S. Execution for Double Murder
A Texas man, Charles Victor Thompson, is set to become the first person executed in the United States in 2023. He was sentenced to death for the double murder of his ex-girlfriend and her new boyfriend nearly 27 years ago. Thompson, now 55, is scheduled for lethal injection on Wednesday evening at the state penitentiary in Huntsville, Texas.
Background of the Case
The tragic events took place in April 1998 in Tomball, a suburb of Houston. Thompson fatally shot Glenda Dennise Hayslip, 39, and her boyfriend Darren Keith Cain, 30, after an argument. Thompson and Hayslip had a tumultuous relationship marked by possessiveness and jealousy.
- Involved: Charles Victor Thompson (55)
- Victims: Glenda Dennise Hayslip (39) and Darren Keith Cain (30)
- Location: Tomball, Texas
- Incident Date: April 1998
Details of the Crime
On the night of the killings, Thompson confronted Cain at Hayslip’s apartment around 3 a.m. After police were called, Thompson left the premises but returned hours later. He shot both victims, killing Cain instantly. Hayslip succumbed to her injuries a week later in the hospital.
Legal Proceedings
Prosecutors have emphasized that Thompson’s actions directly led to Hayslip’s death. Citing over 25 years waiting for justice, they assert that Thompson is accountable under Texas law.
Thompson’s defense has attempted to argue that Hayslip’s death was due to medical negligence rather than the gunshot wound. They claim her brain damage stemmed from inadequate medical care during treatment. However, a jury in 2002 sided with the medical professionals in a related lawsuit.
Attempts to Halt Execution
His legal team has made appeals to the U.S. Supreme Court, seeking to delay the execution on the grounds of mismanaged evidence during the original trial. The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles has declined to reduce his sentence.
Thompson’s Escape and Arrest
After receiving a death sentence, Thompson managed to escape from Harris County Jail in 2005, walking out unnoticed. He was apprehended three days later in Shreveport, Louisiana, while attempting to secure funds to flee to Canada.
Authorities reported that Thompson was found drinking outside a liquor store. After his arrest, he described the experience of being free as nostalgic.
Execution Significance
If carried out, Thompson’s execution will mark the first in the United States for 2023. Texas remains a leading state in executions, historically executing more inmates than any other state. The ongoing case continues to spark discussions about justice and capital punishment in the U.S.
