Bio

Emerson Edward Rudd was born on August 9, 1970. He grew up in a challenging environment in Texas. His parents often fought, and there was a lack of love and support at home. His father had issues with drug addiction and engaged in violent behavior, which included abusing Rudd and his siblings.

Rudd's sister later testified about their family's struggles. She mentioned that their father was abusive and that the family faced many traumatic events. Additionally, Rudd experienced the death of his older brother, which was said to be especially traumatic for him.

Due to his behavior as a youth, Rudd was placed on probation for several offenses, including aggravated robbery and theft. He violated this probation and was sent to juvenile detention. During his time in juvenile detention, he continued to get into trouble, which added to his history of violent behavior.

After being released in August 1988, Rudd quickly returned to a life of crime. He began robbing fast-food restaurants, a decision that would eventually lead him to commit a serious crime just a few weeks later. 

Murder Story

On September 2, 1988, Emerson Edward Rudd, along with three other young men, entered a Captain D's Seafood restaurant in Dallas, Texas. They demanded money at gunpoint. During the robbery, the restaurant manager, Steve Morgan, who was 23 years old, told Rudd that the restaurant did not have large amounts of cash. In response, Rudd shot Morgan in the abdomen at close range. Despite being wounded, Morgan remained aware of his surroundings.

Under threat from Rudd, the other employees complied and helped to gather cash, which totaled about $800. After the robbery, Morgan was rushed to the hospital, but he died the following morning.

Two days after the murder, police apprehended Rudd and his accomplices when they stopped a car matching the description provided by witnesses. An employee who had witnessed the shooting identified Rudd as the shooter. The other suspects included Frenchitt Collins, Darron Price, and Kendrick Smart.

Rudd's trial for capital murder began, and the jury found him guilty on March 10, 1989. He was sentenced to death by lethal injection. His conviction was upheld by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals in 1993, and all his subsequent appeals were denied.

Rudd's execution was scheduled for November 15, 2001. On the day of the execution, he resisted prison officials while being taken to the execution chamber, requiring the use of pepper gas to control him. Rudd refused his last meal, stating that the tradition was an insult.

During his execution, Rudd expressed remorse to Morgan's parents, saying that his death would not bring their son back. He did not think his execution would provide closure for the family. Rudd was pronounced dead at 6:26 p.m. He was 31 years old at the time of his execution.