Texas carried out the execution of death row inmate James Garfield Broadnax on Thursday evening for the robbery and murders of two men outside a Christian recording studio in Garland nearly 18 years ago.

Broadnax, 37, received a lethal injection at the state penitentiary in Huntsville and was pronounced dead at 6:47 p.m. CDT. In his final statement, he addressed the victims' families, expressed remorse for the robbery while insisting on his innocence in the killings, and called for a 'revolution.' 'Texas got it wrong. I'm innocent, the facts of my case should speak for themselves, period,' he said. 'Let this moment be what finally sparks the revolution that will be televised.'

The victims were Matthew Butler, an aspiring Christian singer, father of two, and owner of Zion Gate Records, and his employee, Stephen Swan. The pair was shot to death in the studio parking lot on June 26, 2008, during a robbery in which Broadnax and his cousin, Demarius Cummings, took just $2 from their pockets. Broadnax, then 19, confessed to police in a jailhouse interview, admitting he pulled the trigger and expressing no remorse.

Broadnax later recanted his confession, claiming it came under the influence of drugs and a belief that he faced no death penalty risk. His legal team argued prosecutors misused his rap lyrics to portray him as violent and future dangerous, a claim supported by briefs from rappers including Travis Scott and T.I. They also alleged racial bias in jury selection and highlighted Cummings' recent sworn declaration and video confession that he was the shooter, backed by DNA matching Cummings on the murder weapon and in one victim's pocket, but not Broadnax.

The U.S. Supreme Court denied multiple stays on Thursday, including appeals over the lyrics, jury composition, and new evidence. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals had previously ruled the cousin's claims would not alter Broadnax's guilt, citing his voluntary actions.

Matthew Butler's wife, Jamie Cole, said she harbored no ill will but left the decision to God. His mother, Theresa Butler, dismissed Cummings' confession as a 'stall tactic' and a lie. Stephen Swan's mother had long sought an execution date. Broadnax's wife, Tiana, witnessed the execution and cried out 'I love you' as he lay on the gurney.

This was Texas's fourth execution of 2026. Broadnax was convicted in Dallas County in 2009 following a jury trial, where he was sentenced to death for capital murder.