Published: August 14, 2008 11:38 pm      

First member of 'Texas Seven' executed

Michael Rodriguez, the first of the infamous “Texas Seven” group to receive an execution date, was executed by lethal injection and pronounced dead Thursday night at 6:20 p.m.

Rodriguez, 45, was one of seven men who escaped the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Connally Unit and while on the loose for over a month, murdered Irving Police Department Officer Aubrey Hawkins in December 2000.

Several dozen uniformed officers from the Irving Police Department stood outside the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Walls Unit Thursday in honor of Hawkins.

The officers, whose department was involved in the search for the “Texas Seven” following Hawkins’ death, were also at the execution in support of Lori Hawkins Acosta, Hawkins’ widow who has since remarried.

During his last statement, Rodriguez was very apologetic for his actions, and he spoke directly to Hawkins’ family and to his spiritual advisor.

“I know this in no way makes up for all of the pain and suffering I gave you, but I am so, so sorry,” he said. “I am not strong enough to ask for forgiveness because I don’t know if I am worthy. I realize what I’ve done to you and the pain I’ve given.

“Please, Lord, forgive me — I have done some terrible things.”

While Rodriguez directed several of his last comments specifically to God, he also clearly apologized to the Hawkins family.

“To the Hawkins family, I am sorry,” he said. “I know I have affected them for so long. To these families, I ask forgiveness.”

While each member of the “Texas Seven” group was convicted of capital murder following their capture, Rodriguez was the only one of the group to receive an execution date, by request no less.

The other surviving members of the “Texas Seven” — George Rivas, Joseph Garcia, Patrick Murphy, Jr., Donald Keith Newbury and Randy Halprin — remain at various levels in the appeals process.

No public statements were released from Lori Hawkins Acosta or Yolanda Dalmolin, the sister of Rodriguez’ wife Theresa Rodriguez whom he had killed for $2,000.

However, the Irving Police Department issued an official, written statement pertaining to Rodriguez’ death penalty.

“The memory of Officer Aubrey Hawkins, his dedication to duty and family, are cherished by the Irving Police Department and others that knew Aubrey,” the statement read. “His legacy and his service are not forgotten. Our police family suffered a devastating loss through Aubrey’s ultimate sacrifice.

“However, by pulling together, we forged an even stronger will to fulfill our duty to protect and serve our community to the best of our ability.”



The “Texas Seven”

According to a report compiled by Court TV Online, Rodriguez was already serving a life term at the time of the group’s escape, which took place on Dec. 13. He had been sentenced to life in prison for paying a hit man $2,000 to kill his wife in 1992.

The other members of the “Texas Seven” — George Rivas, Larry Harper, Joseph Garcia, Patrick Murphy Jr., Donald Keith Newbury and Randy Halprin — were also serving various long-term sentences.

On the day of their escape, during a time when there would be less surveillance in certain areas, the seven convicts overpowered and bound nine civilian maintenance supervisors, four correctional officers and three uninvolved inmates in an electrical room.

Disguised in stolen civilian clothing and using identification stolen from their victims, the group eventually drove away from the prison in a maintenance truck with weapons they had stolen from a guard tower.

The prison truck was later discovered at a Wal-Mart in Kenedy, Texas approximately three miles from the prison. It was at the Wal-Mart the group picked up their getaway vehicle, which authorities later stated was provided by Rodriguez’ father.

Within the following two weeks, the group traveled through Texas on their way to Colorado, during which time they robbed at least three locations including a Radio Shack in Pearland, Texas and an Auto Zone in Pasadena, Texas.

On Christmas Eve, the seven allegedly robbed Oshman’s Super Sports USA Store in Irving, Texas. Hitting the store at the end of the business hours, the convicts allegedly held several employees hostage and stole $70,000 in cash and checks, at least 40 firearms, ammunition and clothing.

On their way out, Hawkins arrived at the scene.

According to the Irving Police Department Web site, Hawkins had been dispatched on a suspicious circumstance call to the store and was the first to arrive.

After encountering into the group of convicts, Hawkins “came under a barrage of gunfire without warning and had no time to take evasive or defensive action.”

Mortally wounded, Hawkins was then pulled from his squad car and run over by the convicts.

Following the sporting goods store robbery, the group purchased a jeep and a motor home and traveled to Woodland Park, Colorado. They set up a temporary residence in the Coachlight Motel and RV Park shortly after, and stayed in the area for almost a month.

The trailer park owner finally contacted Texas authorities when a friend advised him that the group of travelers were likely the “Texas Seven.”

The next day, authorities captured Rivas, Rodriguez and Garcia, who surrendered. They then went to the trailer park to apprehend Halprin and Harper, but Harper committed suicide by shooting himself twice.

Newbury and Murphy, who had traveled to Colorado Springs, were found on Jan. 23.

Following their capture, the surviving six convicts were indicted on capital murder charges by a Dallas County grand jury on Feb. 1, 2000.

All six were sentenced to death.