Texas Executes Arthur Burton on August 7, 2024

Arthur Burton, Texas

Updated: Wednesday, August 7, 2024

On Wednesday, August 7, 2024, Arthur Burton was executed by the state of Texas.  He was pronounced dead at 6:47 pm local time inside the Walls Unit execution chamber at the Huntsville State Penitentiary in Huntsville, Texas. Fifty-four-year-old Arthur was convicted of murdering Nancy Adleman on July 29, 1997, in Harris County, Texas.  Arthur spent the last 25 years of his life on death row in Texas.

Arthur was born in Bastrop County, Louisiana.  He graduated from high school.  During his trial, it was revealed, that Arthur participated in dozens of burglaries of vehicles.  Additionally, his brother testified that Arthur used marijuana and sold cocaine while living in Arkansas.

On July 29, 1997, around 7 pm, Nancy Adleman left her home for a short run along the bayou.  She never returned home that night and the following day, police found her beaten body in a heavily wooded area near the bayou.  She had been strangled with her own shoelaces.

Police spoke to several people who were also out that night.  They reported seeing a dirty and angry-looking man riding a bicycle along the bayou around the same time Nancy was out for her run.  Using the descriptions from the witnesses, police were able to put together a sketch that led to the arrest of Arthur Burton.

Burton initially denied committing the crime, however, he eventually confessed.  He confessed to riding his bicycle when he spotted Nancy.  He pushed his bike into the bayou and ran up behind Nancy and grabbed her, pulling her into the woods.  Nancy attempted to scream for help so Burton choked her with his hands until she went unconscious.  He then attempted to rape her.  He was unable to and Nancy regained consciousness.  Burton then choked her again.  After she was rendered unconscious, Burton took a shoelace, tying it around her neck before retiring his bicycle and going home.  

Burton alleges he only confessed after being mistreated by the police.

Please pray for the family of Nancy Adleman.  Please pray for strength for the family of Arthur Burton.