James Paster and Stephen McCoy

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James Paster
Born
James Emery Paster

(1945-01-30)January 30, 1945
Hamilton County, Ohio, U.S.
DiedSeptember 20, 1989(1989-09-20) (aged 44)
Huntsville Unit, Huntsville, Texas, U.S.
Cause of deathExecution by lethal injection
Criminal statusExecuted
Conviction(s)Capital murder
Criminal penaltyDeath (September 22, 1983)
Partner(s)Stephen A. McCoy
Gary L. LeBlanc
Details
Victims3–5
Span of crimes
1980–1981
CountryUnited States
State(s)Texas
Stephen McCoy
Born
Stephen Albert McCoy

(1948-12-17)December 17, 1948
Harris County, Texas, U.S.
DiedMay 24, 1989(1989-05-24) (aged 40)
Huntsville Unit, Huntsville, Texas, U.S.
Cause of deathExecution by lethal injection
Criminal statusExecuted
Conviction(s)Capital murder
Criminal penaltyDeath (July 27, 1984)
Partner(s)James Emery Paster
Gary L. LeBlanc
Details
Victims3
Span of crimes
1980–1981
CountryUnited States
State(s)Texas

James Emery Paster (January 30, 1945 – September 20, 1989)[1] and Stephen Albert McCoy (December 17, 1948 – May 24, 1989)[2] were American serial killers who murdered at least three people in Texas between 1980 and 1981. Both were sentenced to death and executed at the Huntsville Unit in Huntsville, Texas, via lethal injection. Prior to Emery's execution, he confessed to two other murders in the Houston area, but he was never tried for either of these killings.[3] McCoy was executed in May 1989, in what was considered a botched execution. Emery was executed in September 1989.[4]

Murders[edit]

In October 1980, Paster, McCoy, and an acquaintance, Gary LeBlanc, agreed to murder 38-year-old Robert Edward Howard in Houston. Paster was hired by Howard's ex-wife and her new husband, who promised him USD 1,000 and a motorcycle in exchange for the killing. On October 25, 1980, Paster, accompanied by McCoy and LeBlanc, drove to a nightclub in Houston and slashed the tires of Howard's truck. When Howard returned to his vehicle, Paster approached him from behind and fatally shot him in the back of the head before fleeing.[5]

In November 1980, the same trio abducted 27-year-old Diana Trevino Oliver and forced her into their vehicle. She was taken to a field where she was raped and then fatally stabbed by McCoy.[5]

On December 31, 1980, 18-year-old Cynthia Darlene Johnson was found stranded by the side of the road by the trio. She was taken to a warehouse where the men raped her. LeBlanc then attempted to kill her by strangling her to death; however, his attempt at killing her failed. Paster then killed her in the early hours of January 1, 1981, by successfully strangling her to death. He then drove a nail up her nose to ensure she was dead.[5]

Trials[edit]

In 1982, Paster received three life sentences in Alabama for unrelated crimes: robbery-assault, robbery in the first degree, and burglary in the first degree. On June 1, 1983, while serving his sentences at Holman Correctional Facility in Alabama, he was indicted for the capital murder of Robert Howard in Houston. Police interviewed Paster at the prison, where they tape-recorded his confession to the murder.[5]

On September 21, 1983, Paster was found guilty of capital murder and was sentenced to death the following day for murdering Howard.[5] McCoy, who at the time of the revelation was serving a five year sentence in a Texas prison for burglary, was found guilty of capital murder and rape.[6] He was indicted on April 19, 1983, and was found guilty of capital murder on July 26, 1984.[7] He was sentenced to death the following day for murdering Johnson.[8]

LeBlanc was also found guilty for his role in the murders and was sentenced to thirty-five years in prison. He received a lighter sentence in exchange for his testimony against Paster and McCoy. Howard's ex-wife and her new husband were also found guilty of murder. Each was sentenced to life in prison for their part in the murder of Howard.[9]

Executions[edit]

In April 1989, Paster and another inmate attempted to escape from prison by squeezing through an air vent and sawing through an exhaust fan.[10] The attempt was unsuccessful after they were caught in a pipe corridor, and they were returned to death row.[11][12]

On May 24, 1989, McCoy was executed via lethal injection at the Huntsville Unit in Huntsville, Texas, for the rape and murder of Cynthia Johnson.[13][14] His execution was considered botched.[15] Witnesses reported that his chest started to heave as the execution began. He also gasped, choked, and then arched his back from the gurney, as the drugs from the lethal injection took effect.[16] One of the witnesses fainted during the execution and reportedly knocked over another witness.[17] The Texas Attorney General, Jim Mattox, later admitted that McCoy "seemed to have a somewhat stronger reaction," and that "The drugs might have been administered in a heavier dose or more rapidly."[18] McCoy's last meal was a cheeseburger, french fries, and a strawberry milkshake.[19] He made no final statement.[20]

On September 20, 1989, Paster was executed via lethal injection at the Huntsville Unit for the capital murder of Robert Howard.[21] Prior to his execution, Paster confessed to murdering two other women in the Houston area, but he was never tried for either of the two killings.[22] Paster's last meal consisted of steak, salad, french fried potatoes, and watermelon.[23]

They are both buried at Captain Joe Byrd Cemetery.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "James Emery Paster". Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
  2. ^ "Stephen A. McCoy". Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
  3. ^ "Hired killer executed in Texas". United Press International. September 20, 1989. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
  4. ^ "Executed Inmates". Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
  5. ^ a b c d e "James Emery Paster, Petitioner-appellant, v. James A. Lynaugh, Director, Texas Department of Corrections,respondent-appellee, 876 F.2d 1184 (5th Cir. 1989)". Justia. June 27, 1989. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
  6. ^ "McCoy executed". Kerrville Daily Times. May 24, 1989. p. 2. Retrieved October 3, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "McCoy v. State". Justia. June 18, 1986. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
  8. ^ "Stephen Albert Mccoy, Petitioner-appellant, v. James A. Lynaugh, Director Texas Department of Corrections,respondent-appellee, 874 F.2d 954 (5th Cir. 1989)". Justia. May 22, 1989. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
  9. ^ Graczyk, Michael (September 20, 1989). "Man Described as 'Satan Personified' Executed". Associated Press. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
  10. ^ "Nation : Killer, Elvis Impersonator, Executed". Los Angeles Times. September 20, 1989. Archived from the original on October 3, 2021. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
  11. ^ Graczyk, Michael (April 6, 1995). "Killer From 1979 Wichita Falls Murder Awaits Trip to Texas Death Chamber". Associated Press. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
  12. ^ "Texas inmate executed by injection". United Press International. April 6, 1995. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
  13. ^ "Man put to death for Texas murder". The New York Times. May 25, 1989. Archived from the original on January 2, 2021. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  14. ^ "Texas Murderer Is Executed". The New York Times. May 24, 1989. Archived from the original on June 5, 2019. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
  15. ^ Kroll, Michael A. (November 25, 1994). "Execution by Injection Can Be Botched, Too". The New York Times. Archived from the original on May 26, 2015. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
  16. ^ Lavender, Jane (March 2, 2020). "Gruesome reality of death by lethal injection - burned alive from the inside out". Daily Mirror. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
  17. ^ "Botched executions since 1890". The Washington Post. April 30, 2014. Archived from the original on January 29, 2015. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
  18. ^ Gathany, Bob (January 20, 2016). "21 Botched Executions". The Huntsville Times. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
  19. ^ "Houston man is executed for 1981 slaying". Austin American-Statesman. May 24, 1989. p. 22. Retrieved October 3, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  20. ^ "Texas inmate executed for killing stranded motorist". United Press International. May 24, 1989. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
  21. ^ "Ex-Singer Executed in Texas for Contract Killing". The New York Times. September 21, 1989. Archived from the original on February 13, 2018. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
  22. ^ Graczyk, Michael (September 20, 1989). "URGENT Former Elvis Impersonator Linked To Five Murders Executed In Texas". Associated Press. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
  23. ^ "Death row inmate faces Wednesday execution". United Press International. September 19, 1989. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
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