Charles Brooks Jr. facts for kids
Charles Brooks Jr. (September 1, 1942 – December 7, 1982), also known as Shareef Ahmad Abdul-Rahim, was a convicted murderer who was the first person to be executed using lethal injection. He was the first prisoner executed in Texas since 1964, and the first African-American to be executed anywhere in the United States in the post-Gregg era.
Biography
Early life
Brooks was raised in a family in Fort Worth, Texas. He attended I.M. Terrell High School, where he played football.
He had served time at the United States Penitentiary, Leavenworth for illegal possession of firearms.
Conversion to Islam and execution
The Supreme Court of the United States rejected by 6–3 a petition to grant a stay of execution. The State Board of Pardons and Paroles recommended by 2–1 that the execution proceed.
Brooks was held on death row at the Ellis Unit that housed condemned men.
After a last meal consisting of a T-bone steak, french fries, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, biscuits, peach cobbler and iced tea, Brooks was rolled into the death chamber at the Huntsville Unit in Huntsville, Texas. There he made his final statement. Brooks had converted to Islam while in prison and said a prayer.
Brooks was executed on December 7, 1982 at the age of 40.
See also
In Spanish: Charles Brooks para niños
- Capital punishment in Texas
- Capital punishment in the United States
- List of people executed in Texas, 1982–1989
