A Bryan man was executed this evening in Huntsville for killing his ex-girlfriend by setting her on fire nearly 20 years ago.

Carl Blue was pronounced dead at 6:56 p.m. That moment changed the life of Terrella Richards, the murder victim's daughter.

"My journey is over. I can move on with my life,” said Richards.

Richard's mother, Carmen Richards-Sanders, was burned to death in 1994. In 1995, Blue was convicted of killing Sanders, his ex-girlfriend. He admitted to filling up a convenience store drink cup with gasoline, tossing it on Sanders at the door of her apartment, and setting her on fire.

After 18 years in prison, Blue was brought to the Huntsville Unit from death row in Livingston a few hours before his scheduled execution.

"I would just describe him as calm. He was talkative. All things considered, he had a pretty upbeat attitude,” said Jason Clark, spokesman for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

Inside the death chamber, Blue made a lengthy statement, in part, saying 'I did wrong, now I am paying the ultimate price, even though it's a crooked way."

Outside protestors stood expressing their views against the death penalty.
Sam Houston State Criminal Justice professor Dennis Longmire was one of those protestors.

"I think that he should be in prison. I don't think necessarily for life. I think he should be in prison for an appreciably long time,” said Longmire.

When it was time, Blue's last words were " All right Warden, Terella, I feel it babe, love.

Blue moved on, and in a way, so did Terella.

“My journey has ended today,” said Richards.