Richard Cartwright (murderer)

Richard Michael "Rich" Cartwright (February 11 1970 – May 19, 2005) [http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/statistics/deathrow/drowlist/cartrigt.jpgOffender Information] . "Texas Department of Criminal Justice". Retrieved on 2007-11-15.] [http://www.clarkprosecutor.org/html/death/US/cartwright969.htm Richard Cartwright] . "The Clark County Prosecuting Attorney". Retrieved on 2007-11-15.] was a Death Row inmate and activist who was executed by the state of Texas for the stabbing and shooting of 37 year old Nick Moraida during a robbery in Corpus Christi on August 1, 1996.

Cartwright became well known with the Abolishment of the Death Penalty Movement [ [http://www.capitaldefenseweekly.com/archives/050523.htm Capital Punishment Information] . "Capital Defense Weekly" (2005-05-05). Retrieved on 2007-11-25.] after contributing to a series of articles known as "Uncensored from Texas Death Row". [ [http://web.archive.org/web/20070201234030/http://www.1prison.com/rcuncensored1.html Richard Cartwright - Uncensored from Death Row] . Archived from [http://www.1prison.com/rcuncensored1.html the original] on 2007-02-01. Retrieved on 2007-11-25.] After his execution, Clinton Lee Young, [ [http://web.archive.org/web/20070312091937/http://www.1prison.com/txcyoung.html Clinton Young] . Archived from [http://www.1prison.com/txcyoung.html the original] on 2007-03-12. Retrieved on 2007-11-25.] presently on Texas Death Row, took over the "Uncensored from Texas Death Row" articles.

Cartwright never denied being a part of the robbery which resulted in Moraida's death, however, he claimed innocence [ [http://www.deathrow.at/rmc/index0.html In Memoriam of Richard Michael Cartwright executed on May 19, 2005] . "deathrow.at". Retrieved on 2007-11-25.] of the shooting and stabbing of Moraida throughout his life on Death Row. Death penalty proponents frequently argue that Cartwright confessed to the murder when he apologized to the family of the victim during his last statement. However, his supporters who knew him on a personal level, including his mother, Irene, continue to defend his innocence, stating that he never denied being a part of the robbery which resulted in Moraida's death. Cartwright had also been a member of the Aryan Brotherhood.

Several months after Cartwright's death, his supporters still claim he had an effect on the abolishment movement against the death penalty, including among his fellow inmates. [ [http://www.chitown.co.nr/ Richard Cartwright Memorial] . Retrieved on 2007-11-25.]

The original writer of the "Uncensored from Texas Death Row" articles is Paul Colella, [ [http://www.deathrow.at/paul/ Paul Colella - New Beginnings] . "deathrow.at". Retrieved on 2007-11-25.] a former Death Row inmate who was resentenced to 20 years. [ [http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/stat/permanentout.htm Offenders No Longer on Death Row] . "Texas Department of Criminal Justice". Retrieved on 2007-11-25.]

For his last meal, Cartwright requested fried chicken, a cheeseburger, onion rings, french fries, bacon, sausage, cheesecake, and cinnamon rolls. [ [http://deadmaneating.blogspot.com/2005_05_22_archive.html Texas Last Meal - Richard Cartwright] . "Dead Man Eating" (2005-05-22). Retrieved on 2007-11-25.] When asked if he had a final statement, he said:

After his final statement, the lethal injection was started and Cartwright was pronounced dead at 6:16 p.m.

"'EARLY LIFE"'

Cartwright grew up in the southwestern suburb of Chicago called Oak Lawn.

In 1975, while on his way to beat up a classmate, Cartwright was hit by a school bus while riding his big wheel. He broke his leg and spent several weeks in Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn, Il. He walked with a noticable limp for the rest of his life.

ee also

* List of individuals executed in Texas
* Capital punishment in Texas
* Capital punishment in the United States

References