Texas Death Row Inmate Shares Final Words with Wife Before Execution for Pastor’s Murder

Texas Death Row Inmate Shares Final Words with Wife Before Execution for Pastor’s Murder

In a poignant farewell, a Texas man who was sentenced to death for murdering a pastor during a church robbery was executed on Wednesday evening. Steven Lawayne Nelson, 37, was pronounced dead at 6:50 p.m. local time following a lethal injection at a state prison in Huntsville.

Final Moments and Last Words

Prior to the execution, Nelson expressed his love and gratitude to his wife, Helene Noa Dubois, who watched from a nearby window with a white service dog allowed to accompany her. According to reports from the Associated Press, he told her, “I love you” and thanked her for being supportive.

During his final words, he stated, “It is what it is. I’m not scared. I’m at peace. Let’s ride, Warden.” These remarks encapsulated his acceptance of the situation as the lethal sedative pentobarbital began to take effect.

The 2011 Murder Case

Nelson was convicted for the brutal 2011 murder of Rev. Clint Dobson, a 28-year-old pastor who was attacked inside NorthPointe Baptist Church in Arlington. Reports detailed how Nelson beat, strangled, and suffocated Dobson with a plastic bag while he was writing a sermon in his office.

In his defense, Nelson claimed he played only a minor role in the robbery, insisting he had waited outside the church for approximately 25 minutes before entering and finding Dobson and Judy Elliott, the church secretary, beaten. He maintained that Dobson was still alive when he left.

Nelson admitted to taking Dobson’s laptop and receiving Elliott’s car keys and credit cards from one of his accomplices. The victims were ultimately discovered by Elliott’s husband, who did not recognize his wife due to her severe injuries.

Aftermath and Victim Statements

Following the attack, Nelson was apprehended after using the victim’s stolen credit cards, leading to his arrest. His execution came just days after he had been released from an anger management program, a condition of an agreement with Dallas County prosecutors after a prior arrest for aggravated assault.

Family members of the victims opted not to speak directly to the press but released statements reflecting on their loss. Rev. Dobson’s family noted, “As a family, we have chosen to take this day to focus on the great memories we have of Clint rather than giving time to his killer.” They emphasized their enduring love for Dobson and the void left by his death.

Bradley Elliott, the son of Judith Elliott—who survived the attack—shared, “I hope that today, as Mr. Nelson took his last breath, that he was greeted by the same loving and gracious Savior that has stood by us through all we have been a part of.” He added that forgiveness was extended to Nelson, expressing hope for a future reunion in the afterlife.

Legal Appeals and Future Executions

Nelson’s legal team had attempted to overturn the conviction, arguing that his trial representation was inadequate. They contended that his lawyers failed to challenge the alibis presented by his co-defendants and neglected to highlight key aspects of his troubled childhood in Oklahoma and Texas.

As his execution marked the second in the United States this year, it raises questions surrounding the death penalty, legal representation, and the complexities of the justice system. Texas is set to carry out three more executions in the coming months, continuing a long history of capital punishment in the state.

A Reflection on Justice and Closure

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice did not release information regarding Nelson’s last meal. This tragic case serves as a stark reminder of the impact of violence on countless lives and the enduring quest for justice. As the state moves forward, families affected by violent crimes continue to seek closure, reflecting on the deep scars left behind by such tragedies.

Fox News’ Louis Casiano and the Associated Press contributed to this report.