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Summary:

Granville Riddle and a friend, Brad Bybee went out drinking. The two proceeded to drive to the home of Ronnie Hood Bennett.

Bybee remained in the car while Riddle entered Bennett's home and used a tire iron to strike Bennett on the head at least 15 times, causing his death.

Riddle testified that Bennett made sexual advances toward him and when he refused, Bennett grabbed him, pulled him down, put his lips on Riddle's ear and a hand on his buttocks.

According to Riddle, he then hit Bennett with the tire iron repeatedly, causing his death.

After he realized that Bennett was dead, Riddle tried to make the home look burglarized. Bybee testified that Riddle called him into the home, pointed to a few items piled on the floor, and informed him that the items were theirs to keep.

Bybee also testified that Riddle remarked that he wanted "to see how strong [Bybee's] stomach [was]," and Riddle hit Bennett in the head once more, imbedding the tire iron into Bennett's skull.

Riddle was paroled 4 months before the murder after serving 2 months of a 7 year sentence for Burglary. While awaiting trial,

Riddle escaped from jail and was arrested 3 days later after burglarizing another house and arming himself. Once in prison, he again attempted to escape, and was even less successful.

Citations:

Riddle v. State, 888 S.W.2d 1 (Tex.Crim.App. 1994). (Direct Appeal)

Final Meal:

Steak, baked potato, cherry cheesecake, salad, blue cheese dressing, rolls, Coke, coffee, strawberries, and oranges.

Final 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."

ClarkProsecutor.org

Texas Attorney General

Media Advisory

Monday, January 27, 2003

Granville Riddle Scheduled to be Executed.

AUSTIN - Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott offers the following information on Granville Riddle, who is scheduled to be executed after 6 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2003.

On Nov. 8, 1989, Granville Riddle was sentenced to death for the capital murder of Ronnie Hood Bennett, which occurred in Amarillo, Texas, on Oct. 9, 1988. A summary of the evidence presented at trial follows:

FACTS OF THE CRIME

On Oct. 9, 1988, Granville Riddle and a friend, Brad Bybee went out drinking. The two proceeded to drive to the home of Ronnie Hood Bennett. Bybee remained in the car while Riddle entered Bennett's home and used a tire iron to strike Bennett on the head at least 15 times, causing his death.

In his initial statement to police, Riddle stated that he entered the premises through a screen window, which he pried open with the tire iron. Riddle explained that Bennett became angry at him for damaging his property and, in an effort to defend himself, Riddle hit Bennett in the knee with the tire iron. When this angered Bennett even more, Riddle proceeded to hit him over the head until he died.

During the course of the trial, however, Riddle maintained that he had consent to enter Bennett's home when the murder occurred because Bennett was a close friend, akin to a stepfather. Riddle testified that he took a tire iron with him, which he intended to use to pry the screen off the kitchen window; however, when he arrived, he found a sliding door unlocked. The kitchen window, however, was found pried open.

Riddle testified that Bennett made sexual advances toward him and when he refused, Bennett grabbed him, pulled him down, put his lips on Riddle's ear and a hand on his buttocks. According to Riddle, he then hit Bennett with the tire iron repeatedly, causing his death. After he realized that Bennett was dead, Riddle tried to make the home look burglarized in an attempt to cover up for his actions.

Although Riddle admitted that Bennett was drunk when he arrived, forensic evidence proved that Bennett's blood-alcohol level was .29 percent. This level of extreme intoxication would have rendered Bennett unconscious.

Bybee testified that Riddle called him into the home, pointed to a few items piled on the floor, and informed him that the items were theirs to keep. Bybee also testified that Riddle remarked that he wanted "to see how strong [Bybee's] stomach [was]," and Riddle hit Bennett in the head once more, imbedding the tire iron into Bennett's skull. Bybee then secretly left. It was at this point, according to Riddle, that he panicked, grabbed Bennett's wallet and his truck, and left.

PROCEDURAL HISTORY

• November 17, 1988 - A grand jury indicted Riddle in the 251st District Court of Potter County, Texas, for the capital murder of Ronnie Hood Bennett, committed during the course of committing and attempting to commit burglary of a habitation with intent to commit theft.

• November 3, 1989 - A jury found Riddle guilty of capital murder.

• November 8, 1989 - Following a separate punishment hearing, the court assessed a sentence of death.

• June 8, 1994 - Riddle's conviction and sentence were affirmed on direct appeal by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals in a published opinion.

• June 26, 1995 - The United States Supreme Court denied certiorari review.

• October 10, 1996 - Riddle filed an application for writ of habeas corpus in the trial court.

• February 26, 1997 - The Court of Criminal Appeals denied habeas relief in an unpublished order.

• September 5, 1997 - Riddle filed a petition for writ of habeas corpus in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Amarillo Division.

• July 14, 2000 - The federal district court denied habeas relief.

• August 25, 2000 - The federal district court granted permission to appeal.

• April 15, 2002 - The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit affirmed the district court's denial of habeas relief.

• July 15, 2002 - Riddle petitioned the Supreme Court for certiorari review.

• October 15, 2002 - The Supreme Court denied certiorari review.

PRIOR CRIMINAL HISTORY

Evidence showed that Riddle had previously committed numerous offenses, including: the burglary and vandalism of the Oakdale Christian Church in April 1985; the burglary of the Mexican food restaurant where his mother worked in May 1985; the burglary of C&A Lawnmower, also in May 1985; shoplifting beer from a grocery store in October 1985; a flea market burglary; the burglary of a Baptist church; the burglary of the Oakdale Elementary School in August 1986; the criminal trespass of a travel trailer in November 1987; possession of a controlled substance; auto theft; disorderly conduct; and violation of his probation with arrests for public intoxication, criminal trespass, and possession of controlled substances and marijuana.

Additionally, while Riddle was incarcerated awaiting trial for capital murder, he instigated a "full scale mutiny" among his cell mates and escaped from the dining hall of the correctional center. When correctional officers apprehended Riddle three days later, Riddle had a rifle, about 100 rounds of ammunition, civilian clothes, and two tote bags containing toiletries, all burglarized from a trailer home.

On June 4, 1989, Riddle attempted another escape by digging a hole in one of the cell walls. Riddle attempted to escape again on July 14, 1989, but was foiled when a correctional officer found Riddle behind duct work in the facility's attic. Riddle also talked to himself all night in his cell and threatened to jump anyone who opened the door. In August 1989, Riddle attempted to electrify his cell door by tampering with his television and radio wires. Riddle was also involved in three to four fights while in jail, each with different inmates.

ProDeathPenalty.com

Granville Riddle was sentenced to death for the murder of Ronnie Hood Bennett, 39. On Oct. 9, 1988, Granville Riddle and a friend, Brad Bybee went out drinking. The two proceeded to drive to the home of Ronnie Hood Bennett. Bybee remained in the car while Riddle entered Bennett's home and used a tire iron to strike Bennett on the head at least 15 times, causing his death.

In his initial statement to police, Riddle stated that he entered the premises through a screen window, which he pried open with the tire iron. Riddle explained that Bennett became angry at him for damaging his property and, in an effort to defend himself, Riddle hit Bennett in the knee with the tire iron. When this angered Bennett even more, Riddle proceeded to hit him over the head until he died.

During the course of the trial, Riddle maintained that he had consent to enter Bennett's home when the murder occurred because Bennett was a close friend, akin to a stepfather. Riddle testified that he took a tire iron with him, which he intended to use to pry the screen off the kitchen window, but when he arrived, he found a sliding door unlocked. The kitchen window, however, was found pried open.

In yet another version, Riddle testified that Bennett made sexual advances toward him and when he refused, Bennett grabbed him, pulled him down, put his lips on Riddle's ear and a hand on his buttocks. According to Riddle, he then hit Bennett with the tire iron repeatedly, causing his death. After he realized that Bennett was dead, Riddle tried to make the home look burglarized in an attempt to cover up for his actions.

Although Riddle admitted that Bennett was drunk when he arrived, forensic evidence proved that Bennett's blood-alcohol level was .29 percent. This level of extreme intoxication would have rendered Bennett unconscious.

Bybee testified that Riddle called him into the home, pointed to a few items piled on the floor, and informed him that the items were theirs to keep. Bybee also testified that Riddle told him that he wanted "to see how strong your stomach is," and Riddle hit Bennett in the head once more, imbedding the tire iron into Bennett's skull. Bybee then secretly left.

It was at this point, according to Riddle, that he panicked, grabbed Bennett's wallet and his truck, and left. The truck was found the next day, burned out in a ravine. Riddle was arrested five days after the murder following a statement to police from the 18-year-old man who drove Riddle to the residence. That man was initially charged with murder, but the charges were dropped.

While awaiting trial, Riddle escaped from the Potter County jail and was recaptured 3 days later. He had a .22-caliber rifle in his possession and the gun was traced to a residence Riddle had burglarized during his flight. Riddle had been on parole for less than 6 months after serving only 2 and a half months of a 7 year sentence for burglary.

UPDATE: "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 1/2 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. "The (victim's) skull looked like a volleyball that was a sponge, just holes everywhere." Before arriving at death row, Riddle, from Stinnett, tried escaping from the county jail numerous times -- succeeding once for three days. He also attempted to electrify his cell door with wires from his radio and television and was involved in several fights with other inmates.

Texas Execution Information Center by David Carson

Txexecutions

Granville Riddle, 33, was executed by lethal injection on 30 January 2003 in Huntsville, Texas for murdering a man during a home burglary.

On 9 October 1988, Riddle, then 19, and Brad Bybee, 18, drove to the Amarillo home of Ronnie Bennett, 39. Riddle pried the screen off the kitchen window with a tire iron and entered the house. Riddle then beat Bennett to death with the tire tool, striking him 15 times. He then took Bennett's wallet and stole his pickup truck. The pickup was found burned the next day in a ravine outside of Borger. Bybee reported the crime to police, and Riddle was arrested five days after the murder.

In his initial statement to police, Riddle stated that he entered the home through a screen window, which he pried open with the tire iron. He said that Bennett confronted him in anger and that he struck Bennett with the tire iron in self defense. When Bennett fought back, Riddle kept beating him on the head until he died.

At age 19, Riddle already had an extensive criminal history involving at least six burglaries, as well as shoplifting, criminal trespass, auto theft, probation violations, and drug possession. He served 2 months of a 7-year sentence for burglary before receiving parole in June 1988. (At the time, early release was common in Texas due to strict prison population caps imposed by U.S. District Judge William Wayne Justice.)

While awaiting trial, Riddle escaped from jail. He eluded an extensive manhunt for three days before being captured on a highway 20 miles north of Amarillo. At the time of his capture, he had in his possession a .22-caliber rifle and other items which he had stolen from a mobile home during his flight. Riddle unsuccessfully attempted two more escapes while in jail. He also was involved in at least three fights with other inmates.

At his trial, Riddle claimed that the victim was a close friend and that he and Bybee visited his house to see if he wanted to go out drinking. He said he had Bennett's permission to enter the home, but he took a tire iron with him in case he needed to pry a window open to get inside. Riddle also claimed that he did not have to enter through the window because he found a sliding door unlocked.

He said that once inside the home, Bennett, who was drunk, made homosexual advances toward him and began trying to molest him. He said that he hit Bennett in the knee in an attempt to drive him off, and only hit him on the head when he would not back down. He testified that made the home look burglarized in an attempt to conceal what really happened.

The prosecution disputed Riddle's self-defense claim by presenting evidence that Bennett's blood alcohol level was .29, which would have rendered him unconscious. Ralph Erdmann, a pathologist testifying as an expert witness for the prosecution, stated that Bennett was struck first in the head, not the knee, as Riddle claimed.

Brad Bybee testified that Riddle called him into the home, pointed to a few items on the floor, and told him that those items were theirs to keep. He also testified that he watched as Riddle swung the blunt end of the lug wrench into Bennett's head one final time, leaving it embedded in the victim's skull. Bybee testified that it was at this point that he left.

A jury convicted Riddle in November 1989 of capital murder and sentenced him to death. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed the conviction and sentence in June 1994. All of his subsequent appeals in state and federal court were denied.

In 1992, Dr. Ralph Erdmann was convicted of falsifying autopsy reports in other cases. He received a 13-year prison sentence and was released in 1997. In his last round of appeals, Riddle claimed that the state's case was flawed because Erdmann, one of their key witnesses at his trial, had been discredited. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals rejected this claim by a 6-3 vote the day before his execution.

While on death row, Riddle married Mallory Kessler, a Swiss death-penalty opponent who he met as a penpal. Kessler attended the execution. Riddle began his last statement by speaking to her in French. Switching to English, he spoke lovingly to his family. He then stated, "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." Telling Kessler one more time, "Je t'aime," he gasped and let out a long breath as the drugs began to take effect. He was pronounced dead at 6:17 p.m.

Man Who Killed With Tire Iron Executed in Texas

By Robert Anthony Phillips

TheDeathHouse.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.

National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty

Granville Riddle (TX) - Jan. 30, 2003

The state of Texas is scheduled to execute Granville Riddle, a white man, Jan. 30 for the 1988 murder of Ronnie Bennett. According to Riddle, he went to Bennett’s Amarillo home to see if his friend wanted to go out drinking. When he arrived, he found Bennett severely intoxicated in the bedroom; Bennett then made homosexual advances toward him, at which point he beat him to death with a tire iron. The jury refused to believe Riddle’s self-defense explanation, and sentenced him to death in 1990.

Several issues complicate the Riddle case, most notably the fact that the key expert witness for the state – pathologist Dr. Ralph Erdmann – later faced prison time for faking autopsy reports in homocide cases for money. His testimony, which “proved” that Riddle had not struck Bennett in the knee first, as opposed to the head, served as the strongest piece of evidence for the conviction. To this day, Riddle claims he initially hit Bennett in the knee, and only struck him in the head after that failed to deter him. His state-appointed lawyers have never raised the issue of Erdmann’s lack of credibility in court.

In large part because of Erdmann’s testimony, Riddle’s self-defense argument failed to convince his jury at trial. The appellate courts have found the death penalty suitable for the crime, and now Texas is preparing to carry out that sentence. Aside from the self-defense claim, Riddle has argued that he received ineffective assistance of counsel – a common, and often justified, complaint in the Texas criminal justice system.

The U.S. Supreme Court’s acceptance of Kevin Wiggins’ case Nov. 18, which will revisit the standards for ineffective assistance of counsel claims, should put this execution on hold; unfortunately, several death sentences with similar appeals have been carried out in December despite that development.

A Texas jury, affirmed by judges in various appellate courts, found Riddle guilty of murder because they found his violent reactions to Bennett unjustified. This execution, of a man who loves his family and friends and wants only to continue living his life, is also thoroughly unjustified. Please write Gov. Rick Perry and request clemency for Granville Riddle.

Man Executed in Tire Iron Slaying

Houston Chronicle

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

Amarillo Globe-News

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

KAMR-TV News

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 -

Riddle v. State, 888 S.W.2d 1 (Tex.Crim.App. 1994). (Direct Appeal)

Defendant was convicted in the 47th Judicial District Court, Potter County, David L. Gleason, J., of capital murder and was sentenced to death. On automatic death penalty review, the Court of Criminal Appeals, McCormick, P.J., held that: (1) trial court did not err in denying defendant's challenges for cause to veniremembers who allegedly could not distinguish between terms intentionally and deliberately; (2) hypotheticals used to illustrate terms intentional and deliberate were not improper; (3) evidence did not warrant instruction on self-defense; and (4) punishment charge was not improper. Affirmed. Clinton, J., filed concurring opinion in which Miller and Baird, JJ., joined.

McCORMICK, Presiding Judge.

Appellant was convicted by a jury in Potter County of capital murder pursuant to V.T.C.A., Penal Code, Section 19.03(a)(2) After the jury answered the special issues in the affirmative, the trial court imposed the death penalty. Article 37.071(b), V.A.C.C.P. In an automatic, direct appeal to this Court, appellant raises sixteen points of error. We shall affirm.

At trial, appellant testified he and the victim had known each other for several years. On October 9, 1988, appellant and a friend drove to the victim's home to see if he wanted to go drinking. Appellant testified he carried a tire iron so he could pry the screen off the kitchen window to gain entry, but found a door unlocked. Appellant entered the victim's house through an unlocked door and found him "drunk, passed out" in the bedroom.

Appellant woke the victim and began to talk to him. The victim told appellant he wanted to have a homosexual relationship with him. As appellant got up to leave, the victim grabbed appellant by the arm, pulled appellant on top of him, put his lips on appellant's ear, and put one hand on appellant's butt. Appellant hit the victim "on the top" of his head with the tire iron. Appellant testified that after he struck the first blow, appellant got out of the bed and the victim "raised his hands up, grabbed his head and started moaning." Appellant testified he inflicted more blows to the victim, and the more he hit him the madder he got. The victim was struck in the head at least fifteen times. As appellant left the house, he took the victim's wallet and his car.

The forensic pathologist, who conducted the victim's autopsy, testified the victim's blood-alcohol level was .29% which showed the victim was extremely intoxicated to the degree that his motor and sensory functions were "totally out." The pathologist further testified the cause of death was multiple blunt force trauma, and the fatal blow was one which struck the victim "behind the left ear in the mastoid area and compressed the spinal cord." The pathologist also testified the first blow was not the fatal blow.