Texas executes prison escapee for officer’s death

A three-time convicted robber who helped engineer the biggest prison break in Texas history was executed Wednesday evening for killing a suburban Dallas police officer while the notorious gang was on the run.

Donald Newbury, 52, was the third member of the Texas 7 executed for the fatal shooting of 29-year-old Aubrey Hawkins, a police officer who interrupted the fugitives' robbery of a sporting goods store on Christmas Eve in 2000.

The slaying occurred 11 days after the convicts escaped. The gang was captured a month later in Colorado.

Asked if he wanted to make a final statement, Newbury mumbled, "I would. That each new indignity defeats only the body. Pampering the spirit with obscure merit. I love you all. That's it."

As the lethal dose of pentobarbital took effect, he closed his eyes, then took a deep breath and began snoring.  After about a dozen snores, each a bit quieter, he stopped all movement.

He was pronounced dead 11 minutes later, at 6:25 p.m.

The execution was carried out after Newbury lost a last-day appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. His attorneys had argued previous lawyers were deficient and courts did not provide adequate money for a defense expert to illustrate how Newbury's abusive childhood influenced his violent behavior.

Wire services