The State of Texas has carried out the execution of a man convicted of the assault and murder of a young mother. This follows Attorney General Ken Paxton's successful defense of the death sentence in the case.
In 2004, Moises Sandoval Mendoza was found guilty of violently killing 20-year-old Rachelle O’Neil Tolleson, a mother of a young daughter. Mendoza confessed to kidnapping Tolleson from her home, sexually assaulting her, then strangling and stabbing her to death. After police inquiries about Tolleson's whereabouts, Mendoza admitted to burning her body and attempting to conceal it in a creek. Attorney General Paxton consistently worked through Mendoza’s appeals to maintain the death sentence and ensure justice for the victim and her family.
Attorney General Paxton remarked, “Tonight, the State of Texas upheld its duty and obligation to enforce justice and ensure that criminals receive the appropriate punishment... I will always do everything in my power to defend the law and hold criminals accountable.”
The execution took place at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice facility in Huntsville, Texas, where Mendoza was declared dead at 6:40 p.m.