A Texas man convicted of murdering a pastor during a church robbery in 2011 was executed by lethal injection, marking the state’s first execution of 2025.
At a Glance
- Steven Lawayne Nelson, 37, was executed for the 2011 murder of Rev. Clint Dobson
- Nelson maintained his innocence, claiming he was only a lookout
- The execution was Texas’s first of 2025 and the second in the U.S. this year
- Nelson’s final words were expressions of love and gratitude to his wife
- The case has reignited discussions about justice, retribution, and forgiveness
Execution Details and Final Moments
Steven Lawayne Nelson, 37, faced capital punishment in Huntsville, Texas, for his role in the 2011 murder of Reverend Clint Dobson at NorthPointe Baptist Church in Arlington. The execution, carried out by lethal injection, marked the first in Texas and the second in the United States for 2025.
As Nelson entered the execution chamber, he initially refused to walk in as a form of non-violent protest. In a defiant final statement, Nelson remarked, “Lets ride, Warden,” before expressing love and gratitude to his wife, Helene Noa Dubois, who witnessed the execution.
Nelson’s spiritual advisor, Jeff Hood, was present in the chamber to offer prayers and last rites. Hood later commented on Nelson’s final moments, saying, “It took them forever to declare that he had passed. He fought to the very end.”
Case Background and Legal Proceedings
The murder occurred just days after Nelson had completed a court-ordered anger management program. Despite his conviction, Nelson consistently maintained his innocence, claiming he was merely a lookout while others committed the fatal act. His capture came after he used the victims’ stolen credit cards on a shopping spree.
Nelson’s attorneys appealed his conviction, citing inadequate legal representation and failure to present mitigating evidence. However, these efforts were ultimately unsuccessful in halting the execution.
Victim’s Family Response and Broader Implications
In the wake of the execution, the families of both Reverend Dobson and Nelson chose to focus on positive memories of their loved ones. The Dobson family released a statement expressing forgiveness towards Nelson, highlighting the complex emotions surrounding capital punishment cases.
Nelson’s execution is part of a broader series of such penalties actively scheduled in Texas, with three more executions planned over the next three months. This has reignited ongoing discussions about the moral and ethical implications of state-sanctioned death penalties.
It’s worth noting that due to a 2011 Texas law, Nelson was not entitled to a special last meal. This policy was implemented following an incident where an inmate ordered an extravagant meal and refused to eat it, prompting the state to end the practice of honoring special last meal requests.
