In brief
Cedric Ricks, aged 51, was executed on Wednesday in Texas for the 2013 murders of Roxann Sanchez and her 8-year-old son, Anthony Figueroa. In his final statement, Ricks apologized to the victims' family, particularly to Sanchez's surviving son, Marcus, who escaped with multiple stab wounds. Despite his appeal efforts claiming racial discrimination during jury selection, the U.S. Supreme Court denied Ricks' last plea. His execution marks Texas' sixth execution of the year.
HUNTSVILLE, Texas (AP) — Cedric Ricks was executed on Wednesday evening for the brutal killing of his girlfriend and her young son in 2013. He was pronounced dead at 6:55 p.m. CDT after receiving a lethal injection at the state penitentiary in Huntsville. Ricks was convicted for the stabbings of 30-year-old Roxann Sanchez and her 8-year-old son, Anthony Figueroa, in their Bedford apartment in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
As he faced his end, Ricks expressed deep remorse to the family of his victims and specifically addressed the 12-year-old survivor, Marcus Figueroa, who witnessed the attacks. Ricks apologized profusely for the pain and loss he caused, stating, I want to say that I’m sorry for taking Roxann and Anthony from y’all, hoping for forgiveness one day. Marcus, who suffered multiple stab wounds during the attack, maintained composure while observing the execution from a nearby glass enclosure.
Ricks's execution was the second in Texas this year, with the state continuing its history of leading the nation in executions. His legal team made a final unsuccessful attempt to challenge the execution based on claims of racial discrimination in jury selection. Ricks had a history of violent behavior, including previous assaults on Sanchez.
The heinous nature of Ricks’s crimes, which included attacking Marcus while trying to ensure the two boys did not interfere, highlights the tragic consequences of domestic violence. Prosecutors emphasized that Ricks's actions were premeditated and brutal. Following his execution, family members of the victims declined to comment but were present to witness the conclusion of a case that has haunted them for a decade.
