The state has carried out it's first execution in 10 months, and for the first time there were no reporters were on hand.
A Texas Department of Criminal Justice spokesman says prison officials didn't tell reporters it was time to carry out 41-year-old Quintin Jones' death sentence.
Jeremy Desel said he never got a phone call from the prison unit to bring reporters in, and that this will never happen again. "We have a number of new personnel that are a part of the execution team who have not been a part of an execution in the past."
TDCJ policy states that a media representative from the Associated Press and a media representative from the Huntsville Item are guaranteed an opportunity to witness each execution.
Jones was put to death for robbing and beating to death his 83 year old great aunt Berthena Bryant while he was high on drugs in Tarrant County in September of 1999.
The victim's sister appealed for mercy as did other members of the family.
Texas prison spokesman Robert Hurst, speaking from a remote location away from the prison, says Jones used his last statement to thank those who had helped him and said he was glad to leave this world a more positive place.
Part of the statement read "It is not an easy life with all of the negativity. I love all my friends and all the friendships that I have made. They are like the sky. It's all part of life like a big full plate of food for the soul. I hope I left everyone a plate of food fully of happy memories, happiness and no sadness."
In recent years, Jones and his supporters said he was remorseful and had turned his life around.
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign Up and Follow NewsRadio 1080 KRLD
