Runnels is the 22nd inmate in the United States and the ninth in Texas to be executed in 2019. Texas has executed more prisoners than any other state since the US Supreme Court reinstated the death penalty in 1976. On Wednesday afternoon the Supreme Court to block the execution. During his time in prison, Runnels was accused of assaulting guards, including throwing human waste at them on two occasions. After telling two other inmates that morning of similar plans, Runnels came up from behind Wiley and cut his throat with a trimming knife.

Source: Daily Mirror December 12, 2019 02:03 UTC