‘We’ve finally witnessed justice being served’: Brother of teenage woman, 18, who was kidnapped, raped and murdered in 2001 watches her killer’s execution in Texas on what would have been her 41st birthday

The brother of a teenage woman kidnapped, raped and murdered in 2021 watched her killer’s execution on what would have been her 41st birthday, claiming the family had “finally witnessed justice”.

Ramiro Gonzales, 41, was pronounced dead after lethal injection at the state prison in Huntsville, Texas, at 6:50 p.m. Wednesday for the 2001 murder of Bridget Townsend.

In his final statement in the execution chamber, Gonzales apologized to Townsend’s family, saying, “I cannot express in words the pain I have caused you, the pain I have taken away and cannot give back. I hope this apology is enough.

“I never stopped praying that you would forgive me and that one day I would have the opportunity to apologize. “I owe you all my life and I hope you will forgive me one day,” he added.

But the victim’s brother, David Townsend, was unmoved by the profuse apology and recalled his family’s “pain and sorrow.”

Bridget Townsend was just 18 years old when she was sexually assaulted and murdered by Gonzales. She would have celebrated her 41st birthday on Wednesday when her killer was executed

“We finally witnessed justice being served,” David said after watching the execution.

“This day marks the end of a long and painful journey for our family. For over twenty years we have endured unimaginable pain and heartache.”

He said Gonzales’ death “gives us a little bit of peace.” I would like to say that we are not happy. We are not happy. This is a very, very sad day for everyone.”

Gonzales kidnapped Townsend, who would have turned 41 on Wednesday, in 2001 from a home in rural Bandera County, northwest of San Antonio.

He later took her to his family’s farm in neighboring Medina County, where he raped her before killing her.

Townsend’s body remained undiscovered until October 2002, when Gonzales led authorities to her remains in southwest Texas after receiving two life sentences for the kidnapping and rape of another woman.

The U.S. Supreme Court rejected a defense plea to intervene about an hour and a half before the execution was to begin.

The high court rejected arguments from Gonzales’ attorneys that he had taken responsibility for what he did and that an expert witness now says he was wrong to testify that Gonzales would be a future danger to society, a legal finding necessary to impose a death sentence.

“He has devoted himself earnestly to self-improvement, contemplation and prayer, and has grown into a mature, peaceful, kind, loving and deeply religious adult. He acknowledges his responsibility for his crimes and has attempted to make amends and seek redemption through his actions,” Gonzales’ attorneys wrote Monday in their unsuccessful request to the Supreme Court for a stay of execution.

After reevaluating Gonzales in 2022, Gripon said his prediction was wrong.

Earlier this month, a group of 11 evangelical leaders from Texas and across the country asked the parole board and Governor Greg Abbott to halt the execution and grant clemency.

They alleged that Gonzalez helped other death row inmates through a faith-based program.

Pictured: The Texas State Execution Chamber in Huntsville, where Gonzales was executed by lethal injection on Wednesday

In a video submitted as part of his clemency petition to the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles, Gonzales admitted responsibility.

“I just want (Townsend’s mother) to know how sorry I am. I took everything that was valuable from a mother,” said Gonzales, who was 18 at the time.

“So it’s an ongoing task every day to do everything I can to feel responsible for the life I’ve taken.”

But Townsend’s brother was not convinced and took to Change.org to criticize efforts to portray Gonzales as anything other than a convicted murderer who committed “unforgivable acts.”

“Our family is not seeking revenge, but closure and a measure of peace after years of grief – a quest hampered, not helped, by decisions that allow the perpetrator of our pain to remain in the public eye.” ‘, David wrote in a post.

On Monday, the parole board voted 7-0 against commuting Gonzales’ death sentence to a lesser sentence. Members also refused to grant him a six-month reprieve.

Prosecutors described Gonzales as a sexual predator who told police he ignored Townsend’s pleas to spare her life.

They argued that jurors made the right decision on a death sentence because he had a long criminal history and showed no remorse.

“The state’s criminal case was overwhelming,” the Texas attorney general’s office said.

‘Even if the testimony of Dr. Gripon had been removed from the criminal list, it would not have mattered.’

Gonzales’ execution was the second this year in Texas and the eighth in the US. On Thursday, Oklahoma will execute Richard Rojem for the 1984 kidnapping, rape and murder of a seven-year-old girl.