Bio

Robert Anthony Madden was born on September 9, 1963. By the age of 15, he was already in trouble with the law. He attended two different drug treatment centers in an effort to address his substance abuse issues.

He spent years in prison and time on parole. He was known to be a disturbed person, and those who worked with him described him as being like a scared animal. At the age of 22, he was sent to a third treatment center, where he was monitored closely by a counselor named Bob Bearden.

Madden had a unique habit of carrying a hunting knife with him, even though weapons were not allowed at the center. He often used this knife to skin animals he caught. His counselor noted that Madden was quite a loner but did not commit any crimes while at the treatment center. Bearden eventually hired Madden at his printing company in Killeen, Texas, believing he had fully recovered from his addiction.

However, just a few weeks later, Madden stole the company car and left it in a creek bed after getting a flat tire.

Murder Story

On September 12, 1985, Robert Anthony Madden stole a company car and drove it to Marquez, Texas. He left the car in a dry creek bed due to a flat tire. Around September 15, he came across Herbert Elvin Megason, 56, and his son Gary Lynn Megason, 21, at their weekend home in Leon County, Texas.

Before the murders, Madden had robbed a nearby home. He shot Herbert Megason twice in the chest and fatally cut Gary Megason's throat. Gary had multiple gun and knife wounds. Both men were bound, placed in a creek, and covered with logs and brush.

After the murders, Madden took Herbert's pickup truck, guns, and credit cards. During his escape to New Mexico, he used the Megasons' credit cards and signed his own name on the receipts. This became significant evidence against him when he was arrested in Angel Fire, New Mexico, on October 7, 1985.

Madden showed police how the murders occurred on October 14, but since there was no written or recorded confession, this evidence was not allowed in court. He was indicted on October 18, 1985. During the trial, his defense attempted to negotiate a plea deal, but it did not succeed. Madden was convicted of capital murder on February 26, 1986.

He was sentenced to death for his crimes. After several years of appeals, he was executed by lethal injection on May 28, 1997. Madden's last words expressed regret over the pain caused to the victims' families, but he maintained his innocence regarding the murders. He was pronounced dead shortly after, at 6:42 PM in Huntsville, Texas.