Disturbing new evidence suggests that a man executed by lethal injection in Texas on Thursday for a double murder nearly 18 years ago may have been innocent. James Broadnax, 37, was convicted for the 2008 shooting of Matthew Butler and Steve Swan outside a music studio in Dallas. Despite last-minute appeals, the US Supreme Court denied a stay, and Broadnax was put to death.
Cousin Confesses to Murders
In a recently released video, Broadnax’s cousin, Demarius Cummings—who is serving life without parole for his role in the shooting—claimed that he was the one who killed the two men. Attorneys for Broadnax stated that Cummings’ confession is supported by DNA evidence linking him to the murder weapon and to one victim’s pocket, as reported by the Daily Mail.
Prosecutorial Misconduct Alleged
Concerns have been raised about the prosecution’s tactics. Prosecutors reportedly submitted lyrics from Broadnax’s rap songs as evidence of his dangerous character, allegedly to secure a harsher sentence. Additionally, Broadnax’s legal team suggested that a spreadsheet listing the names of Black jurors was used to exclude seven potential Black jurors, with only one eventually reinstated.
A key element of the prosecution’s case was Broadnax’s alleged admission to having “pulled the trigger” to reporters hours after the incident. However, his lawyers argue that he was under the influence of drugs at the time and not in a clear state of mind.
British Wife’s Emotional Plea
Among Broadnax’s most vocal supporters was his British wife, Tiana Krasniqi, from Lewisham, London. She met Broadnax while studying for a master’s degree in international human rights at the University of Law. In an emotional TikTok video shared hours before the execution, she wrote: “To those who want him dead. Knowing he didn’t do it. Take me instead of him. That’s how confident I am.”
Krasniqi claimed that the victims’ families laughed as they watched Broadnax die and that the injection caused bruising on his neck and a nosebleed. The couple married just days before his death in a brief 20-minute ceremony at the Allan B Polunsky Unit, exchanging vows behind glass due to state law prohibiting contact with death row inmates. Speaking on ITV’s This Morning, Krasniqi said: “It’s a very quick 20-minute ceremony, you have an officiant, you say your vows and that’s it and it’s time to go.” She added: “Nobody is going to understand it, but it’s okay.”
Final Statement and Victim’s Family Response
In his final statement, Broadnax said he “prayed to God for forgiveness.” However, Theresa, the mother of victim Matthew Butler, accused Broadnax’s lawyers of attempting to “stall” the justice process and dismissed his claims as “all a lie.”
Texas is one of 27 states that authorize capital punishment, having executed 599 people since 1976—more than any other state. Broadnax was the 10th person executed in the US this year and the third in Texas.
