Texas Executes First Person in U.S. This Year
A Texas man, Charles Victor Thompson, has become the first person executed in the United States in 2023. His execution took place on a Wednesday at the state penitentiary in Huntsville, Texas, at 6:50 p.m. Central Time. Thompson was sentenced to death for the murders of his ex-girlfriend, Glenda Dennise Hayslip, and her boyfriend, Darren Keith Cain, nearly 27 years ago.
Background of the Case
The brutal crime occurred in April 1998 at Hayslip’s apartment in Tomball, a Houston suburb. At the time, Hayslip was 39 years old, and Cain was 30. Thompson and Hayslip had an abusive relationship, marked by jealousy and possessiveness.
On the night of the murders, Thompson confronted Cain shortly after a police officer had asked him to leave the apartment complex. After returning three hours later, he shot both Hayslip and Cain. Cain died at the scene, while Hayslip succumbed to her injuries a week later in the hospital.
Execution Details
- Date: Wednesday, 2023
- Time: 6:50 p.m. CT
- Method: Lethal injection
- Location: Texas State Penitentiary, Huntsville
In his final statement, Thompson expressed remorse, urging the victims’ families to forgive him. He noted, “There are no winners in this situation.” Witnesses reported that Thompson gasped and snored as the lethal drugs took effect, with his death confirmed 22 minutes after the procedure began.
Legal Proceedings
Thompson’s attorneys attempted to halt the execution, arguing he didn’t receive a fair chance to contest the evidence in his case. They claimed that Hayslip’s death was due to medical negligence rather than the gunshot wound. However, the U.S. Supreme Court denied their final appeal shortly before the execution.
The Harris County District Attorney’s office stated that the Hayslip and Cain families sought justice for over 25 years. Previous attempts by Thompson to overturn his sentence have failed, with juries consistently finding him guilty of capital murder.
Thompson’s Escape and Arrest
In a twist, Thompson escaped from Harris County Jail shortly after his resentencing in 2005. He managed to leave by slipping out of his handcuffs and walking out the front door. His freedom lasted three days until his arrest in Shreveport, Louisiana, where he was attempting to arrange funds to flee to Canada.
This execution marks a significant moment, as Texas historically leads the nation in executions. In 2025, Florida had the highest number of executions, tallying 19, which underscores the ongoing dialogue about capital punishment in the United States.
