Texas Inmate Executed for Causing Death of CO During Escape

An inmate whose escape from a Huntsville prison unit six years ago resulted in the death of a correctional officer said he “didn’t mean for it to happen” before he was executed Tuesday night, reported the Huntsville Item .

Jerry Martin, 43, apologized to the family of Susan Canfield, who suffered a fatal head injury when Martin and another inmate escaped from a work detail at the Wynne Unit on Sept. 24, 2007.

Martin, who was serving 50 years for attempted capital murder at the time of Canfield’s death, was working in an onion patch with inmate John Falk Jr. when the two overpowered a field officer in an attempt to escape. Martin stole a truck from the Huntsville City Service Center and was driving when it struck a horse the 59-year-old Canfield was riding while trying to prevent the escape.

Canfield was thrown from the horse and hit the roof of the truck. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Falk and Martin were later apprehended. Falk is currently awaiting a retrial in his capital murder case for his involvement in Canfield’s death.