James Garfield Broadnax, 37, was executed by lethal injection on Thursday evening at the Huntsville State Penitentiary in Texas. He was convicted for the 2008 shooting deaths of Stephen Swan and Matthew Butler outside a Garland recording studio. According to multiple reports, Broadnax maintained his innocence until his final moments.
Key Takeaways
James Broadnax was executed by lethal injection in Texas for a 2008 double murder despite his claims of innocence and his cousin's confession to being the shooter. His execution sparked controversy over racial bias in jury selection and the use of rap lyrics as evidence.
- James Broadnax, 37, was executed on Thursday evening at Huntsville State Penitentiary for a 2008 double murder
- Broadnax maintained his innocence until his death, claiming Texas 'got it wrong'
- His cousin, Demarius Cummings, recently confessed to being the shooter and urged Broadnax to take the blame
- Broadnax's legal team argued racial bias in jury selection and misuse of rap lyrics as evidence
Broadnax's cousin, Demarius Cummings, who is serving life without parole, recently confessed to being the shooter and urged Broadnax to take the blame for the crime. Broadnax's legal team argued that this confession was supported by DNA evidence linking Cummings to the murder weapon and one victim's pocket.
The execution proceeded despite last-minute appeals, including a request to the U.S. Supreme Court for a stay of execution, which was denied. Broadnax's attorneys also alleged racial discrimination during jury selection, claiming prosecutors struck all seven Black prospective jurors using a spreadsheet that highlighted only Black names. Prosecutors denied any racial motive.
Broadnax's case drew attention from several prominent rappers, including Travis Scott, T.I., and Killer Mike, who filed briefs supporting his appeal. They argued that prosecutors misused Broadnax's rap lyrics to portray him as violent during the trial. The Texas Attorney General's Office dismissed Cummings' confession as 'questionable new evidence.'
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