Bio

Paul Selso Nuncio was born on October 20, 1968. He grew up in Frederick, Oklahoma, which is about 65 miles northwest of Wichita Falls, Texas. He dropped out of school in the eighth grade. He faced challenges in finding stable employment and was known to have a history of struggles with alcohol and drugs.

Nuncio had several run-ins with the law. He was convicted of felony theft in 1990 and had multiple misdemeanor theft convictions in Hale and Tarrant Counties. His probation officer described him as someone who had trouble obeying rules and maintaining job stability.

Nuncio had personal relationships that reflected part of his troubled nature. He lived with a woman named Elsa Martinez for two and a half to three years and had two children with her. During this time, it was reported that he had a bad temper, especially when he was drinking alcohol.

As an adult, Nuncio worked as a security guard. However, he continued to struggle with substance abuse issues. 

Murder Story

On December 3, 1993, Paul Selso Nuncio broke into the home of 61-year-old Pauline Crownover Farris in Plainview, Texas. He entered through the back door while she was inside. Nuncio attacked her, causing severe injuries that left her unrecognizable. He raped and strangled her to death. After the murder, he stole several items from her home, including two televisions, a stereo, a VCR, jewelry, and a watch.

Nuncio was arrested a week later, on December 10, after he was found selling one of the stolen televisions. During his arrest, he confessed to the police that he had entered Farris's house to steal items to sell for drug money. He claimed he didn't think anyone was home because there were no responses when he knocked at the door earlier. After breaking in, he encountered Farris, leading to the violent struggle that resulted in her death.

The investigation revealed that Nuncio had a history of drug and alcohol problems. He admitted being "messed up" on drugs during the incident. A DNA analysis of blood found on his boot matched that of Farris, providing crucial evidence against him.

A grand jury indicted Nuncio for capital murder. In March 1995, he was found guilty and sentenced to death. Although he maintained his innocence and filed various appeals, his conviction was upheld. Nuncio was executed by lethal injection on July 21, 2000, in Texas.