Steven Woods letter/envelope 1/6/2010 EXECUTED

This auction is a letter from executed Texas convicted double murderer Steven Michael Woods, Jr. (4/17/1980 – 9/13/2011). On 05/2/2001, Steven Woods, and accomplice Marcus Rhodes, shot and stabbed two people to death. It was Marcus Rhodes who did the stabbing and the shooting in an attempt to conceal two prior murders he had committed in California. Steven Woods was only present during the crime and was not convicted in relation to the California murders. Prosecutors argued that Steven Woods knew a crime was going to take place, hence under the Texas Law of Parties, he was equally as guilty as Marcus Rhodes, who took a plea deal for life imprisonment in order to escape the death penalty. Steven Woods maintained his innocence and refused to plead guilty, stating he was an unwilling participant in the murders. He would be convicted and sentenced to death. Steven Woods was executed on 9/13/2011. When asked if he had any last words he stated, “You're not about to witness an execution, you are about to witness a murder. I am strapped down for something Marcus Rhodes did. I never killed anybody, never. I love you, Mom. I love you, Tali. This is wrong. This whole thing is wrong. I can't believe you are going to let Marcus Rhodes walk around free. Justice has let me down. Alex Calhoun completely screwed this up! I love you, too, Mom. Well Warden, if you are going to murder someone, go ahead and do it. Pull the trigger! It's coming. I can feel it coming. Goodbye everyone, I love you.” He was 31.

It should be noted that the Texas Department of Criminal Justice elected to change Steven Woods last words from 'Alex Calhoun' to 'somebody' on the TDCJ website with final statements made during executions. Alex Calhoun was Steven Woods' attorney.

ITEM DESCRIPTION: The missive is two pages on one sheet, dated 1/6/2010, and signed, "Steven." The original mailing envelope is postmarked 1/11/2010 with seven lines of address written in Woods's hand. The letter and envelope come inside a protective magazine sleeve with an acid free board and have been stored flat. Message me with any questions you might have. Thanks for having a look-see.