Roger Dale Vaughn

Overview

Roger Dale Vaughn was convicted of capital murder in Texas and was executed by lethal injection in Texas on May 6, 2003.

Timeline

• Oct. 14, 1991 — Roger Dale Vaughn escaped from the Lubbock County Jail.
• Oct. 15, 1991 — Vaughn visited friends in Electra, Texas.
• Oct. 16, 1991 — Vaughn burglarized his aunt and uncle's house in Vernon, Texas, stealing two pairs of boots and two rifles; that evening he murdered Dora Watkins.
• Oct. 17, 1991 — Vaughn was arrested in Wichita Falls after unsuccessfully attempting to cash Dora Watkins' checks.
• Feb. 28, 1973 — Vaughn was court-martialed and found guilty by the Army for being absent without leave.
• Apr. 23, 1973 — Vaughn was discharged from active duty for "unsuitability - character and behavior disorders."
• Dec. 14, 1977 — Vaughn was convicted of burglary of a habitation and placed on 10 years probation.
• Feb. 28, 1978 — Vaughn's probation was revoked for the aggravated assault of two individuals he cut with a knife.
• Aug. 8, 1991 — Vaughn was arrested for forgery and robbery in Lubbock, Texas, and was held in the Lubbock County Jail prior to his escape and capital murder of Ms. Watkins.
• May 27, 1992 — Vaughn was sentenced to death for the capital murder of 63-year-old Dora Watkins in the 46th Judicial District Court of Wilbarger County, Texas.
• Mar. 29, 1995 — The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed Vaughn's conviction and sentence on direct appeal.
• Sep. 26, 1995 — The Supreme Court of the United States denied petition for a writ of certiorari on direct appeal from the Court of Criminal Appeals.
• Dec. 10, 1997 — The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals denied Vaughn's state application for writ of habeas corpus.
• Jul. 31, 2001 — The United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas denied federal habeas corpus relief.
• Jul. 25, 2002 — The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit denied a certificate of appealability ("COA").
• Feb. 24, 2003 — The Supreme Court of the United States denied petition for a writ of certiorari following the Fifth Circuit denial of COA.
• Mar. 27, 2003 — The 46th Judicial District Court of Wilbarger County, Texas, issued an order setting the execution date for May 6, 2003.
• May 6, 2003 — Vaughn was executed by lethal injection; he was pronounced dead at 6:26 p.m.

Background

Roger Dale Vaughn had extensive criminal history. He had been court-martialed and found guilty by the Army for being absent without leave, and later discharged for "unsuitability - character and behavior disorders." He was convicted of burglary of a habitation in 1977 and placed on 10 years probation; his probation was revoked after an aggravated assault of two individuals he cut with a knife. He was later found guilty of receiving stolen property in Wyoming and was sentenced to a term of not less than four nor more than five years, with his sentence probated. He was subsequently convicted of forgery and sentenced to prison for a term of not less than two and a half years nor more than five years, with his probation request denied. In August 1991, Vaughn was arrested for forgery and robbery in Lubbock, Texas, and was being held in the Lubbock County Jail prior to his escape and the capital murder of Dora Watkins.

Vaughn was a former electrician.

The offence

Murder and robbery of Dora Watkins

On the evening of Oct. 16, 1991, Vaughn murdered Dora Watkins in Vernon, Texas. Ms. Watkins was found strangled with a cloth bound tightly around her neck. There was severe facial damage with bleeding from the nose, and she had been sexually assaulted and dragged across the floor. Vaughn's actions included taking items from Ms. Watkins' home: her checkbook, credit card, driver's license, and jewelry were missing.

Vaughn pawned Ms. Watkins' jewelry, including her wedding ring. He also cashed several of her checks. In doing so, he told one vendor he was the victim's son and told another he was her husband.

Vaughn also burglarized his aunt and uncle's house in Vernon, stealing two pairs of boots and two rifles, which he pawned in Wichita Falls before returning to Vernon.

Assault and robbery of Larry Shaw (during escape)

After escaping on Oct. 14, 1991, Vaughn sought out a friend, Larry Shaw, who agreed to drive Vaughn around town and offered to lend Vaughn money. That evening in Shaw's car, Vaughn struck Shaw on the head, rendering him unconscious. When Shaw regained consciousness, he jumped from the moving car. Vaughn chased after him, beat him unconscious, and left him in a field, partially paralyzed. Vaughn stole Shaw's identification and fled in Shaw's car to Electra, Texas.

Investigation

After the murder, pawn receipts and other evidence linked Vaughn to the items taken from Ms. Watkins' home. Several pawn receipts were found in Vaughn's pocket, with the claim checks made out to Shaw.

One pawn broker who refused to lend Vaughn money because he did not match the physical description shown on Shaw's license copied the license plate number of Vaughn's vehicle, which was later identified as Shaw's stolen car. Evidence also included that Ms. Watkins had a bite mark on her face that matched an impression taken of Vaughn's teeth.

Arrest

On Oct. 17, 1991, Vaughn was arrested in Wichita Falls after he unsuccessfully attempted to cash another of Ms. Watkins' checks. When he was arrested, he had Ms. Watkins' driver's license and checkbook in his possession. At the time of arrest, Vaughn was wearing one of the stolen pair of boots.

Trial

On May 27, 1992, Vaughn was sentenced to death for the capital murder of Dora Watkins in the 46th Judicial District Court of Wilbarger County, Texas.

Sentencing

Vaughn received a death sentence on May 27, 1992 for the capital murder of Dora Watkins. The robbery/murder occurred in Wilbarger County, Texas, on Oct. 16, 1991.

Appeals

• **Mar.
• **Sep.
• **Dec.
• **Jul.
• **Jul.
• **Feb.

Outcome

On May 6, 2003, Vaughn was executed by lethal injection in Texas. He was pronounced dead at 6:26 p.m., about 10 minutes after the flow of drugs began. Among the witnesses were the victim's two sons and a daughter.

Vaughn smiled, laughed, and mouthed to relatives that he loved them, but he had no final statement. He asked a prison chaplain to read Psalm 103, which tells about God's compassion and repeatedly uses and ends with the phrase, "Praise the Lord, oh my soul."

Just before the lethal drugs began to take effect, Vaughn said, "My hand is about to pop down here," turning his head toward his left hand, where a needle was inserted. He gasped and sputtered.

Final meal and final words

Final Meal: A double meat cheeseburger with everything, a baked potato, a salad, a Coke and butter pecan ice cream.

Final Words: Vaughn smiled, laughed and mouthed to relatives that he loved them, but had no final statement.

Other details

Prosecutor and statements

Wilbarger County district attorney Dan Mike Bird said: "He's just a mean fellow."

Vaughn insisted: "I've never murdered anybody," and later also stated: "I just fit the bill."

The prosecutor, Dan Mike Bird, said: "Anybody who saw what I saw when I went into that kitchen would have made the same decision I made," and also said, "It was a war scene in there in the kitchen."

Bird disputed Vaughn's contention someone else was responsible and said: "The most damning evidence is she had a bite on her face and that bite absolutely matched with his teeth impression," and also stated: "I didn't know at the time, but learned through this case that bite marks are a lot like fingerprints."

Victim identity and age references

The victim was Dora Watkins. Different references described her as 63-year-old and as 66-year-old, and one reference described her as 66-year-old in Vernon, Texas.

Handling of last statement request

Asked for a final statement, Vaughn responded "No thank you."

Execution-related statements and actions

Vaughn asked for a chaplain to read Psalm 103 during the execution procedure. At the execution, he declined to make a last statement and requested the chaplain read Psalm 103.

Written communications included in the record

To anyone who may care, I am Roger Dale Vaughn #999029. I am a 47 year old, father of four, a husband of twenty five years, a brother to six and on death row in Texas. I can never begin to tell you how serious this is. Texas is one of thirty six states in the United States that has capital punishment. Texas kills more people in a year than all the other states together. The court systems are not fair for all people. The poor are almost always found guilty because the attorneys want money, and without money they do as little as they can. It cost many people in Texas their lives, but the courts never change. I'm in the fight of my life, and need your help. Everything cost money and I don't have and to fight with. I need you to want to be my friend, to want to fight with me to stay alive. I'll be going through a long and frustrating procedure. One that most men become depressed and lose their selves to the darkness of pain, I want to win and I need you to help. Please write and tell me you want to fight with me. You want to help with being a friend and with some financially. Be my helper to stay alive. Thanks. Roger Dale Vaughn #999029 Polunsky Unit D.R 12002 FM 350 South Livingston Texas 77351 USA

Lamp of Hope My name is Roger Vaughn. I am 43 years old, brown hair and green eyes. I'm a Libra, born on October 11, 1954. I'm 6' tall. I'm a natural Texan. I came from the northern portion, way up there by all the Indians in Oklahoma! I would like some friends to write to. I will not be prejudice against the fellas, but females would be preferable. I mean, let's face it, this is prison, and it's not like I'm getting much female companionship here... My interests are: reading good novels, country music (and classic rock), hollywood movies (I bet I can name more stars than you!), sports, rodeos and cars. Basic guy stuff. I'll answer all letters for the sake of courtesy. Fight the Death Penalty in the USA

Drug-related statement

Vaughn stated: "I was smoking crack, I wasn't in full control," and also said: "I was a sitting duck." He further said: "There were some stupid moves I made ... stupid blunders, no reason why. Just stupidity," and "I hocked the rings," and "I needed money. I wrote a couple of checks."