John King photo inscribed to Tommy Lynn Sells 6/1/2009

This auction is for a visitation photo of executed Texas murderer John William King (11/3/1974 - 4/24/2019), signed and inscribed to fellow executed Texas death row inmate "Coast to Coast Killer" Tommy Lynn Sells (6/28/1964 – 4/3/2014). During the early morning hours of 6/7/1998, in rural Jasper County, TX, John King, with accomplices Shawn Allen Berry and John Lawrence Russell Brewer, invited a local African American man they knew to accompany them, after seeing him walking home. After driving to rural Jasper County, the three men beat, stabbed, and dragged his body about three miles. Shawn Berry, during the violent beating, lost his desire to participate, and ran away. Forensic evidence at the scene suggested the victim was dead prior to being dragged. It was decided the victim was alive while he was dragged. If he were dead, there wouldn't be kidnapping charges, which were needed to secure a death sentence. John King was convicted for his role in the crime and sentenced to death on 2/25/1999. Russell Brewer and Shawn Berry were each tried separate. Russell Brewer would be convicted on 9/22/1999 and subsequently sentenced to death. Shawn Berry would be convicted on 11/19/1999 and sentenced to life imprisonment with the possibility of parole after 40 years. Russell Brewer was executed on 9/21/2011. When asked if he had any last words he stated, "No. I have no final statement." He was 49. John King was executed 4/24/2019. When asked if he had any last words he stated, "No." He was 44. Shawn Berry is serving out his sentence in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. 

"Coast to Coast Killer" Tommy Lynn Sells (6/28/1964 – 4/3/2014). On 12/31/1999, Tommy Sells slit the throats of two young girls in Del Rio, TX. The 13-year-old victim would die, the 10-year-old victim survived. Her description would lead to his arrest on 1/2/2000, followed by his trial, conviction, death sentence, and execution. Tommy Sells's murder spree spanned from 1980 to 1999, with confirmed murder victims in Texas, Illinois, New York, Kentucky, and Missouri, thus earning him the moniker of the Coast to Coast Killer. His victims included men, women, boys, girls, toddlers, even newborn infants, with motives ranging from rape, robbery, revenge, or seemingly no motive at all. Ultimately Tommy Sells would l be linked to some 20 murders. Over the years Tommy Sells would boast to having committed multiple homicides, usually around 70 victims. However, in the months leading up to his execution, Sells sang a different tune, proclaiming the confessions were due to police coercion. Tommy Sells was executed by lethal injection on 4/3/2014. When asked if he would give a final statement he replied, "No." He was 49.

The Jasper dragging death case it was largely celebrated in the press and, due to the horrific and shocking nature, continues to receive media attention to this day. John King has been the focus on literary works and fictional Hollywood depictions, while the case itself has been the focus of books and movies. At one point the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles had an entire display dedicated to detailing the case.

There are two interesting facts about the executions of both Russell Brewer and John King. Russell Brewer was said to have declined his final meal, thus creating a change within the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, dispensing with the customary "last meal" requests. Inmates to be executed would be given what the prison was serving that evening, no special requests to be accepted. The truth is Brewer left his bible in the prison transportation van, which had all of his phone numbers. Texas death row inmates are not allowed to use the phone, except in the hours leading up to their executions. So, you can image having those numbers are very important. Correctional officers gave Brewer a choice, they would either get his final meal or his bible. Of course, this isn't how the incident was presented to the media. Another change in policy came with the execution of John King, who gave a final written statement, "Capital punishment: Them without the capital get the punishment." Written statements are important as the State of Texas routinely misprints final words on their website. Without a final written statement prison officials can basically print whatever they want, regardless of what was actually said by the offender. This new practice only hurts surviving family members. After John King's powerful last words, the T.D.C.J. barred inmates from giving a final written statement.

ITEM DESCRIPTION: The photograph is a standard 4"×6", dated 6/1/2009, and signed on the front, "John W. King." On the reverse King has inscribed, "To Tommy Sells; Trample the weak and hurdle the dead, brother! Your friend, John 'Possum' King." The individual who originally mailed King the photo has put his prison number and the date the photo was taken across the bottom. This photo was ultimately mailed out by Sells. There's are two little wrinkles (for lack of a better word) on the photo, which are visible when you look at the photo in the light. Note, common referred to as prison kites, between high profile inmates are scarce. This is an autograph from one inmate to another, arguably two of the most high profile inmates to come out of Texas. The photograph comes inside a protective comic book sleeve with an acid free board. Message me with any questions you might have. Thanks for having a look-see.