Richard Masterson, Texas

Richard Masterson, Texas

January 20, 2016

Richard Allen Masterson was executed by the state of Texas on Wednesday, January 20, 2016. He was pronounced dead at 6:53 pm local time, inside the Walls Unit execution chamber at the Huntsville State Penitentiary in Huntsville, Texas. Richard was 43 years of age. He was executed for the murder of Darin Shane Honeycutt on February 9, 2001, in Harris County, Texas. Richard spent the last 12 years of his life on Texas’ death row.

Richard was, according to his sister, abused by their father growing up. He dropped out of school following the 6th grade. Richard was previously arrested in Georgia and Tennessee for burglary. Before his arrest in Texas, Richard worked as a welder, carpenter, and laborer.

Richard Masterson and Darin Honeycutt, who went by the stage name of Brandi Houston, met at a bar in Houston, Texas. The two went back to Darin’s (Brandi’s) apartment, where Masterson placed Darin (Brandi) in a chokehold. After Darin (Brandi) was unconscious, Masterson ransacked the apartment, stealing many items, including Darin’s (Brandi’s) vehicle. In the following days, several people heard Masterson make statements suggesting he killed someone.

Masterson drove east, making his way to Florida, where he was eventually arrested driving a different stolen vehicle. A Houston police detective went to Florida to interview Masterson, as Masterson was the prime suspect in Darin’s (Brandi’s) death. During the interview, Masterson confessed to killing Darin (Brandi). Masterson maintained that the chokehold was part of a consensual sex act that went bad. Later, during his trial, Masterson would claim his confession was not voluntary.

Masterson was convicted and then sentenced to death on May 15, 2002.

Please pray for peace and healing for the family of Darin Honeycutt. Please pray for strength for the family of Richard Masterson.

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