Mario Benjamín Murphy Rodríguez was the only Mexican sentenced to death in the United States who was ultimately not executed in Texas. Despite pleas for clemency, Murphy's execution was carried out by lethal injection instead of the electric chair, which was originally considered.
Murphy was arrested in September 1992 for a crime in which he was involved with five other people. While the others involved received life sentences, he was sentenced to death, triggering protests and efforts to commute his punishment.
Mario Benjamín Murphy's execution took place on September 17, 1997, after several years of attempts by the Mexican government and human rights organizations to intercede on his behalf. Amnesty International protested against his execution, as well as against other similar cases in the past.
Before dying, Murphy expressed his forgiveness to all involved and mentioned that he hoped God would also do so. His last words were spoken calmly before the lethal chemicals were administered.
The other two masterminds of the crime, Robin Radcliff and Gary Hinojosa, were arrested and sentenced to life in prison along with the others involved. Murphy's mother, Sylvia Rodríguez, mentioned that her son looked calm in his last moments, following a long and exhausting process for the family.
The story of Mario Benjamín Murphy is part of a series of Mexicans executed by the United States. In his case, the crime committed led him to the death penalty in Virginia, where he was arrested and convicted despite diplomatic efforts for his life.