Ronald and James Allridge were executed by the State of Texas for three murders
According to court documents Ronald and James Allridge would go on a crime spree in 1985 that would leave three people dead as well as numerous business robbed:
In January 1985 Ronald Allridge would rob a Crusty’s Pizza shop in Fort Worth and fatally shot 19-year-old Buddy Joe Webster Jr.
In February 1985 Ronald and James Allridge would rob a store killing 21-year-old Brian Clendennen in the process
In March 1985 Ronald and James Allridge as well as two others would rob a restaurant in which customer 19-year-old Carla McMillen Otto would be fatally shot
Ronald and James Allridge would be arrested, convicted and sentenced to death
Ronald Allridge would be executed by lethal injection on June 8 1995
James Allridge would be executed by lethal injection on August 26 2004
James Allridge Photos
Ronald Allridge Photos
Ronald And James Allridge FAQ
When Was Ronald Allridge Executed
Ronald Allridge was executed on June 8 1995
When Was James Allridge Executed
James Allridge was executed on August 26 2004
Ronald And James Allridge Case
An apologetic James Allridge, whose case attracted attention of celebrity capital punishment opponents, was executed Thursday evening for killing a Fort Worth convenience store clerk 19 years ago.
Speaking slowly and quietly with his voice halting at times, Allridge thanked his family and friends for loving him and expressed remorse. “I am sorry, I really am,” he said in a brief final statement. “I am sorry I destroyed y’all’s life,” he said looking at the family of his victim. “Thank you for forgiving me. To the moon and back, I love you all.” “I leave you all as I came – in love,” he said. Nine minutes later, at 6:22 p.m. CDT, he was pronounced dead.
Allridge, 41, was the 12th Texas inmate executed this year and the second in as many nights.
Allridge was visited last month by actress Susan Sarandon, who purchased some of his prison-made artwork and for years corresponded with him. Sarandon, 57, won an Academy Award in 1996 for her portrayal of death penalty opponent Helen Prejean in the movie version of the New Orleans-based nun’s book “Dead Man Walking.” Prejean was among the people who witnessed the execution. She whispered a brief prayer after Allridge slipped into unconsciousness and comforted Allridge’s relatives. “Two priceless lives are lost,” Allridge’s supporters said in a statement released after his death. “We wish and hope for healing and peace for both families as time goes by.”
Allridge’s attorneys asked the U.S. Supreme Court in a last-day appeal to halt the punishment and review the case, contending he’d been a model prisoner for years and his rehabilitation disproved his trial jury’s finding that he’d be a continuing threat to society, one of the criteria for the death penalty in Texas. The court rejected the request about two hours before Allridge’s lethal injection. They also unsuccessfully argued jurors were not allowed to consider evidence that a violent and abusive older brother bullied Allridge into participating in the fatal shooting of store clerk Brian Clendennen, 21, who was robbed of $300.
Allridge’s brother, Ronald, was put to death in 1995 for killing a woman during the robbery of a Fort Worth fast-food restaurant, part of a two-month crime spree that targeted convenience stores and fast-food places.
“Nineteen-and-a-half years,” Doris Clendennen, whose son was gunned down, said after watching Allridge die. “It took too long.” “I wouldn’t forgive him for nothing,” said Donna Ryals, the murder victim’s sister. “He got what he deserved… At least he gets to meet his brother now.” “Our parents have lost their second son by lethal injection to the state of Texas,” two of Allridge’s brothers, who also witnessed the execution, said in a statement. “Their pain is incomprehensible. Our fractured, but thriving family will endure.”
Unlike his brother, who also had served time for killing a classmate at age 15, the crime wave appeared to be out of character for James Allridge, who had no previous criminal record. He was described as a good student and hard worker but someone who fell under the control and demands of an older violent brother who intimidated him. “I am deeply regretful any of this has happened,” Allridge told The Associated Press last week from death row, adding that he would like to express his sentiments to Clendennen’s relatives. “This should never have happened.”
Allridge, however, said he believed his nearly two decades on death row was beneficial to others. “I know I’ve done a lot of good,” he said. “A lot of young guys here never had positive role models. A lot of times they just want someone to listen to them. I listen.”
Two other sets of brothers have received lethal injection in Texas, which by far leads the nation in carrying out the death penalty. Prison records show four pairs of brothers were put to death in the 1920s and 1930s, when the electric chair was the method of punishment.
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