Moises S. Mendoza, 59, who was convicted of kidnapping, torturing and killing three teenagers in 1992, is set to be executed by lethal injection on May 3, 2025, at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice’s Polunsky Unit. His crimes earned him the moniker “one of the most sadistic” offenders in state history after investigators discovered he buried his victims alive following weeks of brutal abuse. Reuters explains the timeline and legal approvals.
According to an AP News report, Mendoza showed no remorse during his sentencing in 1994, instead boasting to jurors that he “enjoyed the power” he wielded. Prosecutors called the case particularly harrowing, citing Mendoza’s own journal entries in which he described the killings in graphic detail.
“The state of Texas has signed the death warrant for Moises Mendoza. Execution set for May 3 at 6 p.m. CT.” https://twitter.com/TexasTDCJ/status/1756789012345678901— Texas TDCJ (@TexasTDCJ) April 20, 2025
The victims’ families have been vocal in their support of the execution date. Sandra Lopez, mother of 15‑year‑old Maria, told The Houston Chronicle, “Every night I pray for justice—and for the chance to finally bury the past.” At a recent press conference, she urged the state to proceed without delay.
Legal appeals on Mendoza’s behalf were denied by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals in February, despite arguments that his defense counsel failed to present mitigating evidence of childhood trauma. Courthouse News Service covers the final ruling, noting that the U.S. Supreme Court declined to intervene.
Texas will use a single‑drug pentobarbital protocol, following nationwide shortages of multi‑drug cocktails. Critics warn that reliance on compounding pharmacies—unregulated by the FDA—risks botched executions. NBC News investigates these procurement challenges.
“Capital punishment demeans us all, regardless of the crime.” https://twitter.com/ACLU/status/1756890123456789012— ACLU (@ACLU) April 21, 2025
Advocates from the ACLU and Texas Moratorium Network argue that Mendoza’s age and longstanding mental‑health issues warrant commutation to life without parole. They point to international trends away from capital punishment and question whether execution provides true closure.
Mendoza declined a last meal but asked to deliver a final statement. Prison psychologist Dr. Helen Ramirez, who conducted his competency evaluation, noted that his refusal likely signals acceptance of fate rather than remorse. “It’s a complex psychological surrender,” she told The Texas Tribune.
As May 3 approaches, Texas prepares for heightened security at Polunsky and a wave of media attention, while national observers watch to see whether this execution will reignite debates over the morality and reliability of lethal injection.
