Published: September 12, 2006 11:47 pm      

Cocaine addict executed for 1991 Houston slaying

Farley Charles Matchett, 43, who once lived in Huntsville and was convicted of a murder here, was put to death Tuesday night inside the Huntsville “Walls” Unit.

Matchett was put to death for the July 1991 robbery and murder of his uncle, Uries Anderson Sr., at the victim’s home in Houston. Anderson was stabbed with a knife and struck in the head with a hammer.

At the time of his trial in 1993, Matchett, who lived in Huntsville and who had as much as a $600-a-day crack cocaine habit, had pleaded guilty to murder and accepted a life sentence for killing Melonee Josey, a 74-year-old woman in Huntsville who refused his request for $10. He also agreed to a 99-year sentence for beating 91-year-old Ola Mac Williams of Huntsville, who was left with brain damage. The weapon in both those attacks was a hammer.

Evidence showed Matchett stole Josey’s car and drove to Houston, where an argument over his continued drug use led to a fight and Anderson’s slaying.

Never looking at the family members of his victims, Matchett gave a final statement asking for forgiveness.

“To my family and my mother and my three precious daughters, I love you all,” he said. “And to my brother and sister for standing with me throughout this situation — stay strong and know I’m in a better place.

“To the victim’s family, find peace and consolation with my death and move on,” he added. “Our Lord Jesus Christ, I commend myself to You. Don’t let this be the end. Keep on going.”

Matchett pleaded guilty to capital murder, and a Harris County jury decided he should die for his role in Anderson’s death.

Matchett was pronounced dead at 6:16 p.m., seven minutes after the lethal dose began.

After Tuesday’s execution, the family of Uries Anderson Sr. released a brief statement.

“While we do not glory in a life being taken, it’s now done and it has closed a painful chapter in our lives, enabling us to continue our healing process.,” the handwritten statement read.

The execution was the 21st this year in Texas, the nation’s busiest capital punishment state.

About an hour before Tuesday’s scheduled lethal injection, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected an appeal to halt the execution.



The Associated Press contributed to this story.