Dwight Adanandus

Case record

Dwight Adanandus (offender #940) was executed by lethal injection in Texas on October 1, 1997.

He was a fleeing bank robber who was caught by surprise when a “Good Samaritan” tried to capture him during his escape on Jan. 28, 1988. After a scuffle, the robber’s gun went off leaving the innocent man dead.

Dwight Dwayne Adanandus, 31, went into Continental National Bank that Thursday with a .22-caliber pistol, a bag, and a note requesting money. While Adanandus tried to escape, the bank cashier began to scream.

Vernon Hanan was going into the bank that Thursday to cash a check. Upon entering the bank, Hanan heard a cry for help and grabbed the fleeing suspect. After a struggle, Adanandus shot and left Hanan fatally wounded. Adanandus quickly fled the area and hid under a nearby house for four hours.

A man-hunt took place led by the San Antonio Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Witnesses and clues led the police to the house where Adanandus finally gave up.

Adanandus was convicted of capital murder and was sentenced to death on May 23, 1989 by Judge J. Maloney of the 175 Judicial District Court of Bexar County. Adanandus’ attorney Julie Pollock was appointed to Adanandus and appealed the decision bringing up 46 points of error.

Julie Pollock said: “I raised quite a bit of issues to avoid the possibility of waiving any possible errors,” and she added: “I remember I was struggling to find any errors in the original trial.”

Some of Adanandus’ defenses were that he had no intent to kill, was provoked by Hanan, and was absent during the voir dire. No appeals worked.

On Oct. 1, 1997 Adanandus became the 500th person executed in the United States since the death penalty was reinstated. The state also reached a 40-year high for executions in a year, with Anandus becoming number 76 in 1997.

Adanandus had a cheeseburger, French fries, and iced tea for his last meal.

Adanandus gave his last words:

“I don’t know what to say to you but I apologize for the pain I have caused you and your family over the years. I hope that you will accept my apology and that you will know that it is sincere. I hope this will allow you and your family to move on and … you will forgive me and… Mr. Hanan will forgive me for taking his life. Please accept my apology. I love you all. I am finished.”

Witnessing the execution were Dineen Croft (wife of the victim), Kami Bethke (daughter of the victim), and Adanandus’ three sisters, his mother and his aunt.

Timeline

• Jan. 28, 1988 — Adanandus fled from Continental National Bank; after a struggle with Vernon Hanan, Adanandus shot Hanan and left him fatally wounded; Adanandus fled and hid under a nearby house for four hours.
• May 23, 1989 — Adanandus was sentenced to death by Judge J.
• Oct. 1, 1997 — Adanandus was executed by lethal injection in Texas.