HOUSTON — A Texas man with a longstanding history of mental illness was scheduled for execution Tuesday evening, following his conviction for the 2008 murder of his 3-month-old son, Alijah. This event marks one of five executions slated to occur within a week across the U.S.
Travis Mullis, 38, was sentenced to death for the brutal killing, which authorities say involved him committing heinous acts against his son after a domestic dispute. His execution by lethal injection was set to take place at the state penitentiary in Huntsville.
If carried out, Mullis would become the fourth inmate executed this year in Texas, known as the nation’s most active state for capital punishment, and the 15th in the U.S. This week also sees scheduled executions in Missouri, Oklahoma, and Alabama.
Details of the case reveal that Mullis, who was 21 at the time, drove to Galveston with his son during a tumultuous period in his life. It is reported that after the infant cried uncontrollably, Mullis tragically resorted to violence, ultimately leading to the child’s death. The remains of the infant were discovered abandoned, while Mullis later fled Texas and turned himself in to authorities in Philadelphia.
Mullis’ execution appeared likely to proceed as his attorneys opted not to file last-minute appeals or seek clemency from the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles. In correspondence to the U.S. District Judge, Mullis expressed a desire for finality, stating that he had previously accepted responsibility for his crimes.
During the trial, Mullis was depicted as a manipulative individual who refused the medical care he desperately needed. Since his conviction in 2011, disputes over his appeal options have persisted. At one point, his legal representatives argued that state courts had erred in deeming him competent to waive his right to appeal his sentence nearly a decade prior.
Discussions surrounding Mullis’ mental health have been central to legal arguments, with a history of profound mental illness and childhood trauma cited as significant factors influencing his decisions. The appeals court upheld findings that Mullis had repeatedly reaffirmed his choice to waive appeals.
As the world watches, the planned executions in Texas and other states represent a significant moment in capital punishment history, as they could mark the first instance of five executions occurring within a span of seven days since 2003. The situation continues to evoke discussions about the complexities of mental health and the legal system concerning the death penalty.
