Texas killer Billie Wayne Coble鈥檚 bizarre statement before being executed
As the lethal injection is administered, three members of the killer's family try to attack other witnesses to his execution.
Friday 1 March 2019 13:49, UK
A Texas killer left witnesses to his execution baffled after telling them in his final statement: "That'll be $5."
Billie Wayne Coble was put to death nearly 30 years after murdering his estranged wife's parents and her brother.
The 70-year-old, who was once described by a prosecutor as having "a heart full of scorpions", was asked if he wanted to address the invited onlookers.
He replied: "That will be $5.
"Yes sir, that will be five dollars. I love you, I love you and I love you.
"Mike, I love you. Where's Nelley at? I love you, that will be five dollars. Take care."
As he was finishing his statement, the Vietnam War veteran's son Gordon, grandson Dalton and daughter-in-law became emotional and violent.
Yelling obscenities, throwing fists and kicking at others in the witness area, they were eventually led to a courtyard where the two men were arrested and later charged with resisting arrest.
Earlier on Thursday, the US Supreme Court turned down Coble's request to delay his execution for shooting dead Robert and Zelda Vicha and their son Bobby in Axtell, northeast of Waco, in August 1989.
McLennan County District Attorney Barry Johnson said. "This is the end of a horror story for the Vicha family."
Bobby Vicha's son, who was 11 when he was tied up and threatened by Coble during the killings, said it would be a relief knowing the execution finally took place after years of delays.
J R Vicha said: "Still, the way they do it is more humane than what he did to my family. It's not what he deserves but it will be good to know we got as much justice as allowed by the law."
During his trial, jurors were told how, distraught over his pending divorce, Coble kidnapped his wife Karen Vicha.
He was arrested and later released on bail.
Nine days after the kidnapping, Coble went to Karen Vicha's home, where he handcuffed and tied up her three daughters and J R Vicha.
He then went to the homes of Robert and Zelda Vicha, 64 and 60 respectively, and Bobby Vicha, 39, who lived nearby, and fatally shot them.
After Karen Vicha returned home, Coble kidnapped her and drove off, assaulting her and threatening to rape and kill her. He was arrested after crashing following a police chase.