2003-01-30
"Man Who Killed With Tire Iron Executed in Texas," by Robert Anthony Phillips.
TheDeathouse.Com (January 30, 2003)
HUNTSVILLE - A man convicted of using a tire iron to beat another man to death was executed by lethal injection Thursday night, the third convicted killed put to death in successive days in Texas. Granville Riddle, 32, was convicted of the 1988 murder in Amarillo of Ronnie Hood Bennett. Bennett had been struck in the head with the tire iron at least 15 times.
The Attorney General’s Office also reported that Riddle, while awaiting trial on the murder charge, escaped from jail for three days; tried to dig a tunnel out of his cell; and attemptedto "electrify" his cell door using radio and television wires.
Riddle said before the lethal drugs began flowing that he held no grudges and he was not cruel. "I would like to say to the world (that) I have always been a nice person," Riddle said. "I have never been mean-hearted or cruel. I wish everyone well." He was pronounced dead at 6:17 p.m. - executed for beating a man to death with the tire iron.
Larry Fitzgerald, spokesman for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, said a Swiss woman who had married Riddle on death row watched as her husband was put to death. Fitzgerald said that Riddle made part of his last statement in French, telling his wife he loved her.
Calls Himself Just A ‘Small Town’Boy
On a Web site soliciting pen pals, Riddle wrote that he was just "a normal small town boy," who loves county and western music, horses and rodeo. Granville’s life of crime - starting with a burglary when he was eight years old - culminated in murder on Oct. 8, 1988.
Riddle initally told police that he entered Bennett’s home through a window which he pried open with the tire iron, hit the victim in the knee and then the head. But Riddle changed his story at his trial, testifying that he knew Bennett and killed him when the victim made sexual advances towards him. He said he came into the house through an open sliding door, but lawmen said a window had been pried open.
Also, a man who was with Riddle at the time of the slaying, Brad Bybee, testified that Riddle called him into Bennett’s home to "see how strong (Bybee’s) stomach" was. In front of Bybee, Riddle hit Bennett in the head once more, imbedding the tire iron in his skull, Bybee testified. Riddle said after he panicked after striking Bennett, stealing the dead man’s wallet and truck, which was later found abandoned and burned. Bybee was arrested first and gave cops Riddle’s name.
‘Electrifying Prisoner’
Riddle had a long history, starting as a juvenile, of small time crimes including burglaries, drug possession, auto theft, disorderly conduct and public intoxication. Prosecutors sought the death penalty against Riddle on the basis of murder during the course of a burglary with intent to commit theft. The Attorney General’s Office also stated that while he was waiting trial for capital murder in the Potter County Jail, Riddle escaped. He was nabbed three days later with a rifle and ammo - all taken from a residential burglary.
In 1989, Riddle atempted another escape by digging a hole in one of the cell walls and another by climbing up into duct work In another bizarre incident, Riddle once tried to "electrify" his cell door by attaching wires from the television and radio in his cell.
"Man Executed in Tire Iron Slaying." (AP January 31, 2003)
HUNTSVILLE - Delivering his final statement in French and English, a burglar who authorities said began his career while in elementary school was executed Thursday for fatally bludgeoning an Amarillo man with a tire iron during a home burglary.
"I love all of you," Granville Riddle said, speaking first in French and then in English. "I have no grudges against anyone and I would like to say to the world I have always been a nice person. "I've never been mean-hearted or cruel. I wish everybody well."
With his Swiss prison bride sobbing as she watched through a window nearby, Riddle said, "Je t'aime" -- I love you. He then gasped and let out a long breath as the drugs began to take effect. He was pronounced dead nine minutes later at 6:17 p.m.
Riddle, 32, didn't deny his involvement in the Oct. 9, 1988, beating death of Ronnie Bennett, 39, but contended that he hit Bennett more than a dozen times in self-defense. Evidence at his trial showed Riddle and a friend drove to Bennett's home. Riddle testified that Bennett, whom he knew, made a sexual advance that angered him, so he responded by hitting the man some 15 times with the tire iron.
But evidence showed that Bennett at the time of the attack had a blood-alcohol level of 0.29, enough to render him unconscious. The friend, Brad Bybee, testified Riddle called him in, pointed out some items he could steal, then swung the lug wrench at Bennett's head.
"Burglar Executed in Amarillo Slaying." (AP January 31, 2003)
HUNTSVILLE (AP) - Delivering his final statement in French and English, a burglar who authorities said began his career while in elementary school was executed Thursday for fatally bludgeoning an Amarillo man with a tire iron during a home burglary. "I love all of you," Granville Riddle said, speaking first in French and then in English. "I have no grudges against anyone and I would like to say to the world I have always been a nice person. "I've never been mean-hearted or cruel. I wish everybody well."
With his Swiss prison bride sobbing and murmuring in French as she watched through a window nearby, Riddle said, "Je t'aime." He then gasped and let out a long breath as the drugs began to take effect. He was pronounced dead nine minutes later at 6:17 p.m.
Riddle, 32, didn't deny his involvement in the Oct. 9, 1988, beating death of Amarilloan Ronnie Bennett, 39, but contended he hit Bennett more than a dozen times in self-defense. Riddle was the sixth person to be executed in Texas this year and the third this week. Two more are scheduled for next week.
"I'm just a normal small town boy," Riddle, who declined to speak with reporters in the week's preceding his execution, said on an Internet Web site devoted to prisoners seeking pen pals. "I am caring and I am considerate." His record disputed that. "He's been a problem for law enforcement since he got old enough to even think about being a problem for law enforcement," said Randall Sims, an assistant district attorney in Potter County who indicated Riddle's first burglary was at age 8. "That's not good old country boys. That's prison material." Besides numerous burglaries, including a church, school and a restaurant where his mother worked, he had arrests for drug possession and auto theft. In April 1988, he was sent to prison after getting a seven-year term for burglary but was paroled after just 2 months during a time when Texas was experiencing a prison bed shortage.
In November 1988, the then 19-year-old was indicted for capital murder for killing Bennett. "It was one of the bloodiest crime scenes I've ever seen in 20 years," said Sims, who prosecuted the case.
"Riddle Executed, Community Reacts." (January 30, 2003)
HUNTSVILLE -- A Stinnett man has been executed for the murder of an Amarillo man 15 years ago. Granville Riddle was 19 years old when he killed Ronnie Hood Bennett, 39, in 1988. Bennett was beaten to death in his own home with a tire tool. Because Riddle stole Bennett's wallet and pickup truck, he was charged with capital murder and a jury sentenced him to death. This was Riddle's second execution date. A stay was granted the first time around, back in the '90s. Riddle was moved from his holding cell at 6:00pm Thursday, made his final statement at 6:07pm and was dead ten minutes later.
None of Bennett's survivors attended Thursday's execution, but five people which were part of Riddle's last days made the trip to Huntsville. Family friend Dan Berger said, "It's a very difficult situation for everyone, and especially for his wife and his parents and his brother."
"We had always hoped there was a way to get him off death row. Granville was more than just a murderer, though that's a terrible crime. He was also an artist and my children are now about the same age."
Riddle's final statement included, "I have no grudges against anyone or things gone wrong and would like to say to the world I have always been a nice person, never been mean-hearted or cruel and wish everyone well." He also said several things in French, including "au revoir" and "I love you." Those phrases were primarily addressed to his wife, who does not speak English. Officials report Riddle was talkative and not overly nervous before being taken to the death chamber.
STINNETT -- It's been more than 14 years since Riddle went to prison for murder. People in Stinnett say they're curious about what's happening to the man that grew up in their town. Despite the connection, many believe he's getting what he deserves. Mary Davis says, "Its not suprising to anyone here. The ones I talked to say they figured he'd turn out like this since he was in trouble before he was 18."
Many described Riddle as a loner. They say he always tried to fit in, but never made many friends. Davis says, "They say he was an odd man that used to be in trouble a lot and he caused a lot of problems for people."
News travels fast in small towns and when word of the murder first reached Stinnett, it was all that the town talked about. The execution is causing some buzz in the town, but much of the interest has waned. Michelle McDaniel says, "If something goes wrong or something happens, everyone knows probably wihin an hour."
About 14 years have passed since the murder and the town's connection to the man has all but died in that time. It is talked about, but people don't feel sorry for the man who many said was causing trouble even in his early years. Wayne Mahan says, "I hadn't heard a lot of talk about it. There at first, when it first happened, there was a lot of talk, but I haven't heard a lot about it lately."
Canadian Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty (Riddle Homepage)
Texecuted January 30, 2003 - Granville Riddle
Death Row, Texas
GRANVILLE RIDDLE'S LAST WORDS:
I would just...(speaking in French). I love all of you. I love you Lundy, Levi, my dad. I have no grudges against anyone, or any of the things that have gone wrong. I would like to say to the world, I have always been a nice person. I have never been mean-hearted or cruel. I wish everybody well.
Granville Riddle has been on death row in Texas for almost ten years, since he was 19 years old. His case is now in Federal Court and he is looking for better legal representation. What is notable about Granville's case is that the state's expert witness at his trial was Dr Ralph Erdmann, the "famous" pathologist convicted in 1992 of faking autopsies and knowingly giving false testimony in many homicide cases. Because of this he is now in prison himself. Granville said Mr Bennett attacked and tried to sexually assault and thus he acted in self defense. He testified that he first hit him in the knee with a tire iron and only after that did not stop Mr Bennett he hit him in the head. Dr Erdmann, however, testified that there were no knee injuries and therefore it was not self-defense. On the basis of Dr Erdmann's testimony Granville was convicted and sentenced to death. Considering Dr Erdmann's histcry of giving false testimony in homidde cases to support the prosecution's theories, however absurd they may have been, it seems likely that his testimony in Granville's case was not truthful either. This would mean that Granville's conviction is wrong and should have been a much lesser one. Granville's state appointed lawyers, however, have failed to raise the issue of Dr Erdmann in court, even though Granville has repeatedly asked them to do so. He does not have a lot of faith in his lawyers anymore and is therefore looking for better legal representation, perhaps a pro bono lawyer or even law students who might be interested in doing some research on this case.
Granville's Pen Pal Request
I am very interested in writing to people and I would be very happy to write with as many persons as would wish to write with me...But to me friendship is an important thing so unless someone is really interested in writing then they should not start, cause it is very upsetting to start writing with someone who isn't really serious and you have to beg them to write. I will write with anyone, male, female, any age...
I prefer females that are mature, open minded between 20-90 but I'll write with anyone who wants to be a good strong and loyal friend. I am not a Christian... but I don't have a problem with writing one if they truly want to be friends, like please don't force your religion on me...If I wanted that I would go to church or something...I am looking for friendship and all I expect from someone is that they write me at least once a month. If a person can't write at least once a month thenthey need not start because its too hard to get close to someone who is lazy, once a month is reasonable...more would be fantastic and I will answer every letter... I have nothing else to do but write letters and read books. I have been on death row here in Texas since 1990, I am a white male of celtic germanic ancestry, I was born June 17, 1969, I am 29 years young, I am 5' 10" give or take, I weigh about 200 lbs, I have brown hair, hazel eyes, I am interested in animals, ethology, I love to read and my absolute favourite is Shakespeare. I have everything he ever had published...
I am also studying and teaching myself how to speak and write German, I am interested in European histories, especially celtic history and religion. I also like to read regular science fiction novels, I like astronomy, I'm into nature and what is natural accordingly. I'm not really into politics, I don't have a political education. I'm not all radical or wild. I'm just a normal small town boy, I like country and western music, horses, rodeo, I am caring and I am considerate, I like classic rock and I even like Mozart, Bach, I listen to classic when I read. I'm looking for friendship, simple conversation with a good caring and loyal person. I'm a dedicated and nice person and I will treat all penpals with respect. I would prefer Canadian or European penfriends.
Granville Riddle's European Supporters
The most recent information concerning Granville's case:
A the U.S. Federal Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit denied Granville's motion during April 2002 we expect the U.S. Supreme Court to issue an opinion already beginning of October 2002. As the U.S. Supreme Court issues an opinion in only about 1 % of all submitted cases and further following a very severe jurisprudence it is unfortunataly very unlikely to obtain a favorable ruling. If relief is denied, an execution date will probably be set very soon.
Therefore the ultimate appeal issue must be based on the discovery of determinant new facts. Granville's new lawyer proposes to hire a private investigator as soon as possible as various points would be worth to be further investigated. Considering the critical current situation it is EXTREMELY URGENT TO RAISE WITHOUT DELAY approximately US$ 2000.00 (2000.00 Euros) in order to hire a private investigator as soon as possible. Please remember that we face now the ultimate possibility to save Granville's life.
Many thanks for your support. Mallory Kessler Riddle
-News About Granville Riddle's Execution 2003 -