Execution Tonight

[MannyIsGod]

We've been over this 3473840383098 times, and I still don't see how we can have state sanctioned killing. Especialy of someone who commited the crime at 18.

Exclusive: Convicted killer speaks out the night before his execution
Web Posted: 11/17/2004 11:56 PM CST

Brooke Richie
KENS 5 Eyewitness News


Twenty years ago, he murdered a father of two and Thursday night he is set to die for his crime. Hours before his execution, Troy Kunkle sat down to speak for the first and only time since his arrest.


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Video: Conversation with a killer

Kunkle has spent more than 7,000 nights on death row, but Wednesday will be his last. On Wednesday, he gave a glimpse into the mind of a murderer before his execution.

Kunkle says he has never stopped fighting for a chance at life, even after spending 19 years on death row.

"Hope is really something that's kept me going the last 20 years," Kunkle said. "Somebody who doesn't have hope I guess wants to die."

On the night of August 12, 1984, Kunkle, then 18, wanted to kill. Drunk and high, the former Roosevelt High School student and four friends drove to Corpus Christi. Kunkle robbed 31-year-old Stephen Horton of $13 and put a bullet in his head.

He gained infamy afterwards as "the killer with no remorse," after reciting lyrics from the song "No Remorse" by Metallica after he committed murder.

Asking him if he has remorse now, Kunkle says, is saying that he didn't have remorse then.

"Well to be honest with you, it was basically a situation where a juvenile mistake made with juvenile peer pressure," Kunkle said.

It's that argument Kunkle's defense attorney made after his conviction. They say the jury never had a chance to consider his troubled childhood with abusive and mentally ill parents.

He doesn't believe he was given a fair trial.

"Honestly, no I don't, really," he said.

Right now, Kunkle's hope comes from experience. This will be his second date with death. In July, the U.S. Supreme Court issued an eleventh-hour stay of execution.

But that stay was lifted in October, and Kunkle is now out of appeals.

As he looks toward the death chamber, he reflects on an adult life spend entirely behind bars.

"I have to look at myself in the mirror every day. I have to look at my mother's tears when she comes to visit," Kunkle said. "There's nothing about this to be proud of. Really, it's a shame and embarrassment, to be honest with you."

And for the inmate who says he's reformed and found God he knows what his final thought will be.

"I'm hoping that I will be forgiven," Kunkle said.

The Horton family says they will not attend the execution, but say it is a just price and that they have no remorse.

[1369]

He killed a man in cold blood, and the punishment for that is his own life.

The death penalty is a punishment, not a deterrant. I have never quite understood the logic in the thinking that the death penalty is a deterrant to crime. I strongly believe that in certain cases the death penalty is right and justified as a sentance for certain crimes.

Manny, I know you feel strongly that there should not be a death penalty and it is not likely othat you will ever change your mind.

I will have to respectfully agree to disagree with you on this subject.

[2pac]

My guess is that you knew it was wrong to steal $13 and bust a cap in a stranger while singing "No Remorse" by Metallica.

Dude still has no remorse.

[gophergeorge]

The Lord will greet him with open arms....

[Nbadan]

My only problem with the state sanctioned killing is that it is disproportionaly sentenced to the mentally ill, poor, and especially minorities. Why is it rich people who can afford their own attorneys rarely get sentenced to die? Why is Scott Peterson not likely to die for murdering his wife Casey?

[exstatic]

Uh, you may get a few sympathy hits for the 13 or 14 YO, but 18 is WELL old enough to know what you're doing. I'm not sure there is a deterrent in CP, but it is a well do ented fact that if executed, the average murderer never kills again. That can't be said about parolees.

[whottt]

Seems like a guy that definitely needs his head blown off to me...what's the problem Manny? It's only okay for people to kill if it isn't motivated by revenge?

How about the state just apologize to him after it kills him and then you can forgive the state like you did him...you don't seem like you are against murder to me...only against the killing of murderers.

[Nbadan]

The Lord will greet him with open arms....

That's deep GG.

[Nbadan]

What right does he has to keep his life since he felt qualified to take the life of another?

So you do believe in a women right to choice after all. Wow, who would have guessed?

[MannyIsGod]

How about the state just apologize to him after it kills him and then you can forgive the state like you did him...you don't seem like you are against murder to me...only against the killing of murderers.

Thanks for reading what I put and then deciding to put a whole new spin on things.

That's the way you discuss things around here, and I'm ing sick of it. Why don't you stick to what I said and if there is anything I didn't make clear ask me about it instead of trying to put an idiotic stance in my mouth.

I'm against all executions by the government. I never said I sanctioned murder. In fact I'm for tougher conditions in prison, but you woudln't know that because you don't take the time to engage in a discussion on issue. You simply choose to grandstand and try to insinuate what I'm thinking.

[exstatic]

That's why I never call them Pro-Life, Dan. They insist that the crack or fetal alcohol baby be born, live a hopeless, drug addled 12-20 year existance, commit some heinous crime, then be executed by the state. That's OK by them.

[bigzak25]

another one bites the dust....

[2pac]

Why is it rich people who can afford their own attorneys rarely get sentenced to die?

Rich = money
money = good attorneys
good attorneys = lighter sentence, if there is even a conviction

Thats why

Why is Scott Peterson not likely to die for murdering his wife Casey?

Its not likely, because he was never married to anyone named Casey.

[2pac]

So you do believe in a women right to choice after all. Wow, who would have guessed?

That would work, if the fetus has been a cold-blooded murderer.

[Useruser666]

I honestly don't know if the death penalty is right. I do believe in some cases that it is appropriate. You can try and justify not using it on every case. This guy was only 18, this guy was high, this guy was under peer pressure.These are just a handful of examples. But when it comes down to it, he KILLED some one. The guy he killed didn't have a chance to challenge his execution in the courts. He had no chance to defend himself. It wouldn't matter if that victim was drunk, high, or 13 years old. He killed him no matter the cir stances. Is that fair?

[bigzak25]

in this case, two wrongs make a right.

[2pac]

Thanks for reading what I put and then deciding to put a whole new spin on things.

That's the way you discuss things around here, and I'm ing sick of it. Why don't you stick to what I said and if there is anything I didn't make clear ask me about it instead of trying to put an idiotic stance in my mouth.

I'm against all executions by the government. I never said I sanctioned murder. In fact I'm for tougher conditions in prison, but you woudln't know that because you don't take the time to engage in a discussion on issue. You simply choose to grandstand and try to insinuate what I'm thinking.

So if we caught Osama, we shouldn't kill him?

What should we do with him?

[gophergeorge]

Sometimes you need to do what is RIGHT, not what is "fair".... Life is not fair.

[Nbadan]

That would work, if the fetus has been a cold-blooded murderer.

So, you do believe in abortion if the mothers life is in danger?

[Useruser666]

So, you do believe in abortion if the mothers life is in danger?

I don't think you can have black and white where there is only gray.

[Nbadan]

So if we caught Osama, we shouldn't kill him?

What should we do with him?

We will never catch Osama, but if we did I think we should keep him around to expose his 'so-called' network. We executed Tim McVey way to quickly.

[Nbadan]

I don't think you can have black and white where there is only gray.

So your pro-choice?

[MannyIsGod]

So if we caught Osama, we shouldn't kill him?

What should we do with him?

After a trial, stick him in a hole for the rest of his life.

[gophergeorge]

So your pro-choice?

It is NOT pro-"choice".... It is Pro-Baby Killing....

[whottt]

So you do believe in a women right to choice after all. Wow, who would have guessed?

Um, I am pro choice(to an extent).

I advocate stem cell research.

I'm also very environmentally concerned...this is probably my normal number 1 concern.

Just not now.

And this murderer is pretty much indefensible...anyone who could kill a man for 13 dollars...doesn't need to be a part of the general population...and why should the taxpayers pay for his life...that money would be better served taking care of the family of the man he murdered.

And don't blame this on drugs either...I've done every drug known to mankind in just about every way it is possible to do them...and there's not one that would just make me go up and kill an innocent man for money.