Death row inmate eats in his own eyes after cutting out wife and kids' hearts
Andre Thomas was handed the death sentence in 2005, but his execution date was delayed after he removed his own eyes. Thomas was discovered in his cell, covered in blood, prior to his court appearance in 2004, according to The San Diego Union-Tribune.
In another incident, the killer gouged out his remaining eye and ate it, leaving him completely blind. His legal team stated he believed this act of self-mutilation would prevent the government from hearing his thoughts.
The 39-year-old is currently incarcerated in Texas for a triple murder he committed and confessed to. He admitted to killing his estranged wife, Laura Christine Boren, their four-year-old son, and Boren's 13-month-old daughter.
He informed the police God had instructed him to carry out the murders, believing the three victims were demons. Thomas also removed the hearts of both children, as reported by the Associated Press, reports the Mirror. Andre Thomas killed his wife and two kids (Image: Texas Execution)
He was found guilty in 2005 and automatically received the death penalty. His execution is scheduled for 5 April 2023.
An agency spokesperson, Jason Clark, said: "Thomas said he pulled out his eye and subsequently ingested it."
In March 2023, Judge Jim Fallon made a decision to withdraw Thomas' execution warrant. This came after his legal team requested more time to assess his mental condition to determine if he met the competency criteria for capital punishment.
The Supreme Court has stated that while capital punishment is not unlawful for individuals with severe mental health issues, the person must be deemed competent.
Marie Levin, Thomas' solicitor, said in a statement: "We are confident that when we present the evidence of Mr. Thomas's incompetence, the court will agree that executing him would violate the Constitution.
"Guiding this blind psychotic man to the gurney for execution offends our sense of humanity and serves no legitimate purpose." Andre Thomas before and after each of his self-inflicted attacks (Image: AP)
Levin described Thomas as "one of the most mentally ill prisoners in Texas history ... not competent to be executed, lacking a rational understanding of the state's reason for his execution."
After consuming his first eyeball, Thomas received treatment at a medical centre before being moved to a prison psychiatric ward.
His trial solicitor, Bobbie Peterson-Cate, expressed relief that he would "finally be able to receive the mental health care that we had wanted and begged for from day 1."
In March 2023, over 100 faith leaders among others issued an appeal for mercy to halt his execution, yet J. Kerye Ashmore, from the Grayson County District Attorney's Office who handled the prosecution, stated they know "nothing about the case" and had not examined any reports or assessments concerning his mental condition.
Thomas continues to await execution on death row.
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