Death row killer gouges out both his own eyes and eats them in bid to avoid execution
Andre Thomas, 39, was sentenced to death in 2005 for the murders of his estranged wife and her two children. His execution was postponed after he gouged out his eyes
The father removed the hearts of his kids
(Image: Harold Democrat)
A man sentenced to death for the brutal murder of his wife and children, in a horrific act of self-mutilation, gouged out both of his eyes and ate them in an attempt to avoid execution.
Andre Thomas was handed the death sentence in 2005, but his execution was delayed after he removed his own eyeballs. He was discovered in his cell, covered in blood, prior to his court appearance in 2004, according to The San Diego Union-Tribune.
In another shocking incident, Thomas gouged out his remaining eye and consumed it, leaving him completely blind. His legal team stated that he believed this act of self-harm would prevent the government from hearing his thoughts. The news comes as police hunt a killer on the run as family of 'horrific' Welsh murder victim say they are 'terrified'.
The 39 year old is currently incarcerated in Texas for a triple murder to which he has confessed. He admitted to killing his estranged wife, Laura Christine Boren, their four year old son, and Boren's 13-month-old daughter.
Thomas told authorities that he believed God had instructed him to commit the murders, claiming he thought his victims were demons. He also removed the hearts of both children, as reported by the Associated Press, reports the Mirror.
Thomas gouged out his remaining eye and consumed it
(Image: Texas Execution)
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He was found guilty in 2005 and automatically received the death penalty. His execution is scheduled for 5 April 2023.
Jason Clark, an agency spokesperson, confirmed: "Thomas said he pulled out his eye and subsequently ingested it."
In March 2023, Judge Jim Fallon granted an order suspending Thomas' execution warrant, following a request from his legal team for extra time to assess his mental condition and determine whether he met the competency requirements for capital punishment.
According to the Supreme Court, whilst the death penalty isn't prohibited for individuals with serious mental disorders, it mandates that a person must be deemed competent.
Marie Levin, Thomas' solicitor, stated: "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.
Andre Thomas before and after each of his self-inflicted attacks
(Image: AP)
"Guiding this blind psychotic man to the gurney for execution offends our sense of humanity and serves no legitimate purpose."
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 facility before being moved to a prison psychiatric unit.
His trial barrister, Bobbie Peterson-Cate, remarked 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 and others issued a plea for mercy to halt his execution. However, J.
Kerye Ashmore from the Grayson County District Attorney's Office, who prosecuted the case, stated they knew "nothing about the case" and had not read any reports or evaluations concerning his mental state.
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Thomas continues to be on death row.
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