In a 5-to-4 decision that split along ideological lines, the Supreme Court on Thursday evening rebuffed a request from the Obama administration that it stay the execution of Humberto Leal in Texas. He was executed about an hour later. In 2004, the International Court of Justice in The Hague found that Mexican inmates had been denied their rights under the Vienna Convention. The convention requires that foreigners detained abroad be told they may contact consular officials.
Humberto used his last words to apologize to both his family and the family of his victim, a San Antonio teen. “I have hurt a lot of people,” he said. “Let this be final and be done. I take the full blame for this. I am sorry and forgive me, I am truly sorry.” Witnessing his execution was his attorney Sandra Babcock, his sister and three friends. The family of his 16-year-old victim, Adria Sauceda, was not present. Leal began his last statement at 6:10 p.m. and the lethal dose of drugs was administered a minute later. “I am sorry for the victim's family and what I had did,” he continued. “May they forgive me. I don't know if you believe me.” Leal ended by saying, “One more thing, Viva Mexico, Viva Mexico.” He was pronounced dead at 6:21 p.m. May he rest in peace.
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