HUNTSVILLE — Moments before receiving lethal injection, 57-year-old Robert Charles Ladd, the man convicted of killing 38-year-old Tylerite Vicki Ann Garner, apologized to his victim’s family and said he hoped they could forgive him.

Outside the Huntsville prison, a group of 15 to 20 protestors shouted against the death penalty, saying it was not the answer and that Texas did not have the moral right to execute a person.

Ladd was the second death row inmate to be executed this year and the second under Gov. Greg Abbott. 

Ladd sexually assaulted and murdered Ms. Garner in her Tyler apartment on Sept. 25, 1996, before setting her body on fire in an attempt to destroy evidence.

Ladd was on parole at the time for the 1978 killing of a Dallas woman and her two children.

He served 13 years of a 40-year sentence before being paroled in Tyler. 

Ladd met Ms. Garner at the Andrews Center, a mental health treatment center, where both were employed and where Ms. Garner lived.

Prior to the execution, Ladd told his family, who were not in attendance, he loved them and that there was a drawing he wished them to have. 

To Garner’s family, who were present, Ladd said, “I hope you can find peace in your heart and happiness. A revenge death won’t get you anything.”

To his sister Johanna, Ladd said, “I love you. Let’s ride.”

Ladd was injected at 6:35 p.m.

Moments later, Ladd exclaimed, “… this does hurt. It’s stinging my arm.” 

Then Ladd fell silent and was pronounced dead at 7:02 p.m.

After the execution, Ms. Garner’s sisters, Teresa Wooten and Kathy Pirtle, said they were not happy about Ladd’s death but are glad a chapter in their lives has closed.

“His death was not a cause for celebration. We know Mr. Ladd had family who loved him,” Mrs. Wooten said. “Instead, tonight we celebrate the life of Vicki Ann Garner and that justice has finally been served. We don’t hold any anger toward Mr. Ladd.”

The sisters said they will take a few days to remember their sister and let the events settle in their minds.

“We can remember Vicki now without the specter hanging over our heads. It does not give closure, or makeup for anything, but it does close a chapter on Vicki’s life,” Mrs Pirtle said.