At a Glance
- Charles Thompson is slated for execution on Jan. 28 after a long-running case.
- Harris County’s new district attorney is the first to seek his death, sparking concerns for 63 other death-row inmates.
- Texas has executed 135 of 596 death-row inmates in the modern era, a figure that has fallen sharply in recent years.
- Why it matters: The move signals a potential shift in Texas’ death-penalty enforcement and raises questions about fairness for a large group of inmates.
The state of Texas is preparing to carry out the execution of Charles Thompson next week. Thompson, convicted in April of 1998 for the murders of his former girlfriend, Glenda Dennise Hayslip, and her companion, Darren Cain, will be executed on Jan. 28. This case has become the first death-penalty request by Harris County’s new district attorney, Sean Teare, who assumed office last year.
Execution Date and Background
Thompson’s case dates back to 1998, when he was found guilty of two murders. Over the past two decades, he has exhausted all available appeals. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has not received any new appeals from his counsel, and the attorney has not responded to inquiries about potential life-saving measures.
The Houston Press reports that Andrew Smith, chief of the post-conviction writs division, said the D.A. is pursuing Thompson’s death because “it’s been since 2021 since he exhausted all his appeals, and there’s zero question as to his culpability in this case.”
Legal Proceedings
- No new appeals filed with the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals.
- Attorney silence on potential life-saving strategies.
- Execution scheduled for Jan. 28.
The case illustrates how a single decision by a district attorney can set a precedent for the entire county’s death-row inmates.
County Impact and Broader Trends
Harris County, which includes Houston, is responsible for a significant portion of Texas’ death-row population. According to Kristin Houlé Cuellar of the Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty, the county’s actions could affect 63 other inmates convicted in Harris County courts, more than a third of the nearly 170 people on death row statewide.
Cuellar has long warned that Harris County is “ground zero for capital punishment in Texas and the world.” The county has overseen the executions of 135 of the 596 people killed in Texas in the modern era of the death penalty.
Recent Trends
| Year | Death Sentences in Texas | Harris County Sentences |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 2 |
| 1999 | 48 | 2 |
The TCADP report notes that Texas prosecutors are increasingly hesitant to seek the death penalty due to its high cost for taxpayers and the lengthy appeals process. In 2025, only three people were sentenced to death in Texas, a steep decline from the 48 sentences in 1999.
TCADP Report Highlights
The Texas Death Penalty Developments in 2025: The Year in Review, released by TCADP, provides a detailed snapshot:
- Seven executions were scheduled last year.
- Two men received stays: David Wood, who has spent over 30 years on death row, and Robert Roberson, whose innocence claims are supported by lawmakers and scientists.
- Five inmates died in custody last year, matching the number executed.
- Scott Panetti-a case emblematic of the system’s failure to protect mentally ill individuals-died in May after more than 30 years on death row.
TCADP also highlighted cases where prosecutors dropped the death penalty:
- El Paso County dropped the penalty in exchange for a guilty plea by Patrick Crusius, already serving 90 federal life sentences for the 2019 Walmart shooting that killed 23 people.
- San Jacinto County dropped the penalty for Francisco Oropeza after estimating a cost of $1.2 million to $2 million-four times the county’s annual indigent-case budget.
Historical Context and Notable Cases
The death penalty in Texas has evolved through high-profile cases and judicial rulings:
| Case | Year | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Scott Panetti | 2007 | Supreme Court established new competency standard |
| Panetti | 2023 | Federal judge declared him too insane for execution |
These precedents underscore the legal complexity surrounding executions, especially for inmates with documented mental illness.
Key Takeaways
- Charles Thompson’s execution marks a significant moment for Harris County’s death-penalty policy.
- The move could set a precedent affecting 63 other inmates in the county.
- Texas prosecutors are increasingly wary of the death penalty due to cost and appeals, as shown by the TCADP report.
- Historical cases illustrate the system’s struggles with mental illness and procedural fairness.
The upcoming execution will be a focal point for activists, legal scholars, and the public as Texas navigates the future of capital punishment.
