Earlier this year, Kent Sprouse, 42, has been put to death in Texas, the country’s most active state in cases of death row inmate executions. Sprouse has been charged with the murder of a Dallas police officer in 2002.
Harry Marvin “Marty” Steinfeldt III, 28, a police officer in Ferris had been shot and killed by Sprouse after he killed a customer at a convenient store.
According to witnesses to this 2002 incident, Sprouse had walked into Ferris Food Mart wielding a shotgun, made a purchase and then out of nowhere fired the gun at two men by a pay phone right outside the store. He then proceeded towards his car which appeared to have been giving some trouble. He then shot and killed Pedro Moreno, 38, who had been pumping gas nearby. The incident followed by that had been what is called a full-on shoot out.
In response to a 911 call, Officer Steinfeldt reached the scene of the crime where he had been shot and hit by Sprouse under the arm, twice, where his bullet proof vest did not cover. Steinfeldt had managed to pump out 17 shots, even reloaded his shotgun once, injuring Sprouse in his chest, leg and hand.
Sprouse had apologized to the families of the victims, his own family for all the trouble that he has causes, before his execution. He then thanked his family for the support that they have provided and ended his message with the last words being “I guess that’s it.”
Sprouse was injected with the execution drug pentobarbital; he then took sex deep breaths before beginning to snore. In a minute all his movement seemed to have ceased. 22 minutes later, at 6:33 CDT he had been pronounced dead.
