Leo Ernest Jenkins

Case record: Leo Ernest Jenkins

Status and execution

Leo Ernest Jenkins was executed by lethal injection in Texas on February 9, 1996. He had confessed to the crime and had opposed any appeals of his death sentence, asking to be executed.

Background

Leo Jenkins Jr. was 38 (30). He had a high school graduate or GED education level. He was the 105th inmate Texas has put to death since it reinstituted the death penalty in 1982.

His execution was the first viewed by relatives of the victim. About 60 people gathered outside the prison at the Huntsville Unit, including supporters of the death penalty who carried signs advocating "victims' rights".

Jenkins had numerous tattoos, including two of teardrops beneath his left eye, commemorating two previous prison terms.

His only living relative not in prison was his sister, who did not attend the execution. A friend, Debbie Cannon, and Jenkins' lawyers, Kurt Wentz and James Leniter, attended his execution.

The offence

On Aug. 29, 1988, Jenkins and an accomplice walked into a north Houston pawnshop. Jenkins shot Kara Voss, 20, in the head. Kara Voss's brother and co-worker Mark Kelley, 25, was shot three times in the face. The two victims made off with several trays of jewelry but were caught days later.

At trial testimony, Jenkins had walked in and told Mrs. Voss that he wanted to buy a rifle. He shot her in the head with a .22-caliber pistol. He turned and fired three times at her brother nearby, fatally wounding him, then stole rings, watches and jewelry.

Investigation

Jenkins was arrested four days after the murders. Witnesses told the authorities that they had seen a heavily tattooed man leaving the store.

Jenkins told detectives that he and Mr. Hart were high on cocaine and needed some money to buy more drugs.

Trial and sentencing

Jenkins and an accomplice, Eugene Hart, were convicted of the murder of Mrs. Voss, 20, and her brother, 25. The murder occurred in the Kelley family's Golden Nugget Pawn Shop in Houston on the midafternoon of Aug. 29, 1988.

Hart received a life term. Jenkins' execution followed.

Execution day

The execution took place while relatives of the brother and sister he killed watched from a few feet away, through a clear glass partition. The Kelleys stood on the other side of the partition through which the condemned man could view them.

Jenkins was led into the tiny, century-old death chamber only moments after the Kelleys. Jenkins told the witnesses:

"I'd just like to say I believe in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. I'm sorry for the Kelleys' loss but my death is not gonna bring back their children. I think the State of Texas is wrong to execute me. I love my mama. Let's go, man."

Linda Kelley, the mother of the victims (Mark Kelley and Kara Voss), later spoke to reporters. Mrs. Kelley said:

"This was not difficult," Mrs. Kelley said for the family. "I'm glad that he's off this earth. I know where Leo Jenkins is right now. And it's really low. And I feel good about that. This is justice in a big way. Believe me, it was served tonight."

Before the execution, Mrs. Kelley told reporters:

"I think Leo Jenkins is going to have a very dignified death compared to what he put Mark and Kara through."

After Jenkins' statement, Mrs. Kelley said:

"He's made his peace with God," she said. "I don't think I have. I'm still real angry with God about this. I just hope God doesn't forgive him."

Mrs. Kelley attended the execution with her husband, Jim Kelley, her 90-year-old mother-in-law, Angeline Kelley, her remaining child, her daughter, Robin Kelley, and Mark Kelley's widow, Lisa Kelley. Mrs. Kelley said her son had left two small children:

"It's sad when you have to explain to a 5-year-old who asks 'Muma, tell me about my daddy in heaven,' " Mrs. Kelley said.

Outcome and aftermath

Jenkins' execution was the first time Texas allowed the survivors of murder victims to witness a lethal injection. Later, other states—Colorado, Louisiana, California, Washington, Utah and Montana—also allowed victims' families to view executions.

Mrs. Kelley described Jenkins' execution as low and said she felt good about it.

Jenkins' accomplice Eugene Hart was sentenced to life.

Six other states also allowed victims' families to view executions.

Jenkins opposed any appeals of his death sentence and asked to be executed.