Bio

Denard Sha Manns was born on December 22, 1965, in New York, New York. He grew up in Harlem and faced a challenging environment. As a child, Manns showed little interest in education and later dropped out of school after completing just 12 years. He struggled to find stable employment and worked as a barber and a laborer.

He was arrested multiple times for various crimes, including robbery, disorderly conduct, and possession of illegal substances. In 1992, he was indicted for armed robbery and pleaded guilty to several charges. He spent time in prison for these offenses, ultimately being released on parole in 1998.

After his release, Manns moved to Texas to live with his half-brother and cousin in Killeen, a city near Fort Hood. This relocation came shortly before the crime for which he would become notorious. Living close to the victim, he became involved in a violent crime that led to his arrest on December 8, 1998.

His life ended in a different way when he was executed by lethal injection on November 13, 2008, in Texas.

Murder Story

On November 18, 1998, Denard Sha Manns entered the home of Michelle Robson, a 26-year-old Army medic. Manns raped and then shot Robson five times with a .22 caliber gun. After the attack, Manns stole credit cards, cash, and Robson's vehicle before fleeing the scene. There was no sign of forced entry in the home, which indicated that Robson might have known her attacker.

Michelle Robson was found dead in her bathtub on November 19, 1998. Investigators discovered a black brassiere on her that contained semen. They confirmed through DNA testing that the DNA matched Manns'. Additionally, evidence showed that Manns left a jacket belonging to Robson at a friend's home, along with several rings that he had taken from the crime scene.

After some investigation, Manns was arrested on December 8, 1998. The murder weapon was traced back to his cousin, Eric Williams, who had reported a bullet found in his home just before Robson's death. Fingerprints and DNA evidence linked Manns directly to the crime. He initially pleaded not guilty, but his trial commenced in February 2002, and he was convicted of capital murder.

The jury sentenced him to death on March 1, 2002. Manns appealed his conviction and maintained his innocence throughout his time on death row, claiming the DNA evidence was incorrect. However, all appeals were denied, and he faced execution after nearly a decade on death row.

Denard Manns was executed by lethal injection on November 13, 2008, in Texas. In his final words, he expressed criticism of his attorneys and mentioned his readiness for death. He was pronounced dead shortly after the lethal drugs were administered.