Published: August 07, 2008 09:12 pm      

Man executed for 1991 robbery, murder in Arlington

A man convicted of the 1991 aggravated robbery and murder of an Arlington store manager was executed Thursday at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Walls Unit.

Heliberto Chi, 29, was pronounced dead at 6:25 p.m., less than three hours after the Supreme Court denied his final appeal in a 9-0 vote.

“Heliberto Chi was executed Thursday for the 2001 slaying of Armand Paliotta, the manager of K&G Men’s Store in Arlington,” TDCJ representative Jason Clark said. “He also shot an 18-year-old who was later able to identify him.”

During his final statement, Chi spoke first in English in a prayer, then in Spanish to address his family.

“God, forgive them and receive my soul,” he said. “I love you, Edgardo.”

After speaking audibly, Chi recited what sounded like a prayer in Spanish for several minutes until he stopped breathing.

Edgardo Reves, a cousin of Chi’s, wailed and moaned as he watched the execution.

Neither Armand or Christopher Paliotta, sons of the victim, wished to make statements following the execution.

Witnesses said Reves banged on the window looking into the execution chamber, and he also appeared to collapse into the arms of spiritual advisers.

The appeal filed by Chi’s attorneys referred to his right as a Honduran national to consult a consulate representative during his trial.

It also addressed an additional clause unique to Honduras, which stated that a lack of American legislation did not negate the consulate requirement.

According to information released by the Texas Attorney General’s office, Chi was a former employee of K&G’s Men’s Store, and he was allowed into the store after business hours on March 24, 2001.

After looking for his wallet inside, Chi returned to the front door and pulled out a .38 calibur gun, telling the employees who were at the entrance to get back inside.

As they were walking, Paliotta pushed Chi and began running to the front of the store. Chi ran after him and then fired at him.

Two store employees, Adrian Riojas and Gloria Mendoza, ran from Chi, and Chi shot Riojas in the back.