Texas executes Ramiro Gonzales for the raping and kidnapping woman, 18, despite psychiatrist’s shock change in testimony
A Texas man who admitted to kidnapping, sexually assaulting and shooting an 18-year-old boy was executed Wednesday night — despite a change in a psychiatrist’s testimony.
Ramiro Gonzalez, 41, was pronounced dead at 6:50 p.m. local time after a lethal injection at the state prison in Huntsville for the 2001 murder of Bridget Townsend.
Her remains were not found until a year later, when Gonzales led authorities to the site in Southwest Texas where he left her body.
Just before he died Wednesday night, Gonzalez apologized to the victim’s family.
“I can’t put into words the pain I’ve caused you, the pain I’ve taken away that I can’t give back,” he said. “I hope this apology is enough.”
Ramiro Gonzales, 41, admitted to kidnapping, raping and shooting 18-year-old Bridget Townsend in 2001
Townsend’s remains were not found until the following year when Gonzalez led authorities to her body
“I have never stopped praying that you would forgive me and that one day I would have the opportunity to apologize,” he continued.
“I owe my life to all of you and I hope one day you will forgive me.”
Gonzales was convicted of fatally shooting Townsend after he stole drugs and money and kidnapped her in January 2001 from a home in Bandera County, northwest of San Antonio.
He took her to his family’s ranch in neighboring Medina County, where he sexually assaulted and murdered her.