View source for James Paster and Stephen McCoy

{{Short description|Executed American serial killers}}
{{Infobox serial killer
| name              = James Paster
| image             =
| image_size        =
| caption           =
| alt               =
| alias             =
| birth_name        = James Emery Paster
| birth_date        = {{Birth date|1945|1|30}}
| birth_place       = [[Hamilton County, Ohio]], U.S.
| death_date        = {{Death date and age|1989|9|20|1945|1|30}}
| death_place       = [[Huntsville Unit]], [[Huntsville, Texas]], U.S.
| cause             = Execution by [[lethal injection]]
| conviction        = [[Capital murder]]
| sentence          = [[Capital punishment|Death]] (September 22, 1983)
| partners          = Stephen A. McCoy<br>Gary L. LeBlanc
| victims           = 3–5
| beginyear         = 1980
| endyear           = 1981
| country           = United States
| states            = [[Texas]]
| criminal_status   = [[Executed]]
}}
{{Infobox serial killer
| name              = Stephen McCoy
| image             =
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| caption           =
| alt               =
| alias             =
| birth_name        = Stephen Albert McCoy
| birth_date        = {{Birth date|1948|12|17}}
| birth_place       = [[Harris County, Texas]], U.S.
| death_date        = {{Death date and age|1989|5|24|1948|12|17}}
| death_place       = [[Huntsville Unit]], [[Huntsville, Texas]], U.S.
| cause             = Execution by [[lethal injection]]
| conviction        = [[Capital murder]]
| sentence          = [[Capital punishment|Death]] (July 27, 1984)
| partners          = James Emery Paster<br>Gary L. LeBlanc
| victims           = 3
| beginyear         = 1980
| endyear           = 1981
| country           = United States
| states            = [[Texas]]
| criminal_status   = [[Executed]]
}}
'''James Emery Paster''' (January 30, 1945 – September 20, 1989)<ref name="TDCJInfo">{{cite web|title=James Emery Paster|url=https://www.tdcj.texas.gov/death_row/dr_info/pasterjames.jpg|work=[[Texas Department of Criminal Justice]]|access-date=October 3, 2021}}</ref> and '''Stephen Albert McCoy''' (December 17, 1948 – May 24, 1989)<ref name="TDCJInfo2">{{cite web|title=Stephen A. McCoy|url=https://www.tdcj.texas.gov/death_row/dr_info/mccoystephen.jpg|work=[[Texas Department of Criminal Justice]]|access-date=October 3, 2021}}</ref> were American [[serial killer]]s who murdered at least three people in [[Texas]] between 1980 and 1981. Both were [[Capital punishment|sentenced to death]] and executed at the [[Huntsville Unit]] in [[Huntsville, Texas]], via [[lethal injection]]. Prior to Emery's execution, he confessed to two other murders in the [[Houston]] area, but he was never tried for either of these killings.<ref>{{cite news|date=September 20, 1989|title=Hired killer executed in Texas|work=[[United Press International]]|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1989/09/20/Hired-killer-executed-in-Texas/8256622267200/|access-date=October 3, 2021}}</ref> McCoy was executed in May 1989, in what was considered a [[botched execution]]. Emery was executed in September 1989.<ref name="TDCJInfo3">{{cite web|title=Executed Inmates|url=https://www.tdcj.texas.gov/death_row/dr_executed_offenders.html|work=[[Texas Department of Criminal Justice]]|access-date=October 3, 2021}}</ref>
==Murders==
In October 1980, Paster, McCoy, and an acquaintance, Gary LeBlanc, agreed to murder 38-year-old Robert Edward Howard in [[Houston]]. Paster was hired by Howard's ex-wife and her new husband, who promised him US$1,000 and a motorcycle in exchange for the killing. On October 25, 1980, Paster, accompanied by McCoy and LeBlanc, drove to a nightclub in Houston and slashed the tires of Howard's truck. When Howard returned to his vehicle, Paster approached him from behind and fatally shot him in the back of the head before fleeing.<ref name="justia">{{cite web|title=James Emery Paster, Petitioner-appellant, v. James A. Lynaugh, Director, Texas Department of Corrections,respondent-appellee, 876 F.2d 1184 (5th Cir. 1989)|work=[[Justia]]|url=https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F2/876/1184/68103/|date=June 27, 1989|access-date=October 3, 2021}}</ref>
In November 1980, the same trio abducted 27-year-old Diana Trevino Oliver and forced her into their vehicle. She was taken to a field where she was raped and then fatally stabbed by McCoy.<ref name="justia" />
On December 31, 1980, 18-year-old Cynthia Darlene Johnson was found stranded by the side of the road by the trio. She was taken to a warehouse where the men raped her. LeBlanc then attempted to kill her by strangling her to death; however, his attempt at killing her failed. Paster then killed her in the early hours of January 1, 1981, by successfully strangling her to death. He then drove a nail up her nose to ensure she was dead.<ref name="justia" />
==Trials==
In 1982, Paster received three life sentences in [[Alabama]] for unrelated crimes: robbery-assault, robbery in the first degree, and burglary in the first degree. On June 1, 1983, while serving his sentences at [[Holman Correctional Facility]] in Alabama, he was indicted for the [[capital murder]] of Robert Howard in Houston. Police interviewed Paster at the prison, where they tape-recorded his confession to the murder.<ref name="justia" />
On September 21, 1983, Paster was found guilty of capital murder and was sentenced to death the following day for murdering Howard.<ref name="justia" /> McCoy, who at the time of the revelation was serving a five-year sentence in a Texas prison for burglary, was found guilty of capital murder and rape.<ref>{{cite news|title=McCoy executed|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86436651/mccoy-executed/|newspaper=[[Kerrville Daily Times]]|date=May 24, 1989|page=2|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=October 3, 2021}}</ref> He was indicted on April 19, 1983, and was found guilty of capital murder on July 26, 1984.<ref name="justia2">{{cite web|title=McCoy v. State|work=[[Justia]]|url=https://law.justia.com/cases/texas/court-of-criminal-appeals/1986/69331-4.html|date=June 18, 1986|access-date=October 3, 2021}}</ref> He was sentenced to death the following day for murdering Johnson.<ref name="justia3">{{cite web|title=Stephen Albert Mccoy, Petitioner-appellant, v. James A. Lynaugh, Director Texas Department of Corrections,respondent-appellee, 874 F.2d 954 (5th Cir. 1989)|work=[[Justia]]|url=https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F2/874/954/382600/|date=May 22, 1989|access-date=October 3, 2021}}</ref>
LeBlanc was also found guilty for his role in the murders and was sentenced to thirty-five years in prison. He received a lighter sentence in exchange for his testimony against Paster and McCoy. Howard's ex-wife and her new husband were also found guilty of murder. Each was sentenced to life in prison for their part in the murder of Howard.<ref>{{cite news|last=Graczyk|first=Michael|date=September 20, 1989|title=Man Described as 'Satan Personified' Executed|work=[[Associated Press]]|url=https://apnews.com/article/cbba1f86671eee219e7990faf849f7e8|access-date=October 3, 2021}}</ref>
==Executions==
In April 1989, Paster and another inmate attempted to escape from prison by squeezing through an air vent and sawing through an exhaust fan.<ref>{{cite news|date=September 20, 1989|title=Nation : Killer, Elvis Impersonator, Executed|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-09-20-mn-352-story.html|access-date=October 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211003201627/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-09-20-mn-352-story.html|archive-date=October 3, 2021}}</ref> The attempt was unsuccessful after they were caught in a pipe corridor, and they were returned to [[death row]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Graczyk|first=Michael|date=April 6, 1995|title=Killer From 1979 Wichita Falls Murder Awaits Trip to Texas Death Chamber|work=[[Associated Press]]|url=https://apnews.com/article/f402897a84af9e34f1ac7a3a0c562bf8|access-date=October 3, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=April 6, 1995|title=Texas inmate executed by injection|work=[[United Press International]]|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1995/04/06/Texas-inmate-executed-by-injection/2626797140800/|access-date=October 3, 2021}}</ref>
On May 24, 1989, McCoy was executed via [[lethal injection]] at the [[Huntsville Unit]] in [[Huntsville, Texas]], for the rape and murder of Cynthia Johnson.<ref>{{cite news|date=May 25, 1989|title=Man put to death for Texas murder|work=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/05/25/us/man-put-to-death-for-texas-murder.html|access-date=October 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210102152758/https://www.nytimes.com/1989/05/25/us/man-put-to-death-for-texas-murder.html|archive-date=January 2, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=May 24, 1989|title=Texas Murderer Is Executed|work=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/05/24/us/texas-murderer-is-executed.html|access-date=October 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190605091950/https://www.nytimes.com/1989/05/24/us/texas-murderer-is-executed.html|archive-date=June 5, 2019}}</ref> His execution was considered botched.<ref>{{cite news|last=Kroll|first=Michael A.|date=November 25, 1994|title=Execution by Injection Can Be Botched, Too|work=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/11/25/opinion/l-execution-by-injection-can-be-botched-too-927910.html|access-date=October 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150526110505/https://www.nytimes.com/1994/11/25/opinion/l-execution-by-injection-can-be-botched-too-927910.html|archive-date=May 26, 2015}}</ref> Witnesses reported that his chest started to heave as the execution began. He also gasped, choked, and then arched his back from the gurney, as the drugs from the lethal injection took effect.<ref>{{cite news|last=Lavender|first=Jane|date=March 2, 2020|title=Gruesome reality of death by lethal injection - burned alive from the inside out|work=[[Daily Mirror]]|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/us-news/gruesome-reality-death-lethal-injection-21571780|access-date=October 3, 2021}}</ref> One of the witnesses fainted during the execution and reportedly knocked over another witness.<ref>{{cite news|date=April 30, 2014|title=Botched executions since 1890|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/botched-executions-since-1890/2014/04/30/33206a14-d07d-11e3-a6b1-45c4dffb85a6_story.html|access-date=October 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150129153705/https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/botched-executions-since-1890/2014/04/30/33206a14-d07d-11e3-a6b1-45c4dffb85a6_story.html|archive-date=January 29, 2015}}</ref> The [[Texas Attorney General]], [[Jim Mattox]], later admitted that McCoy "seemed to have a somewhat stronger reaction," and that "The drugs might have been administered in a heavier dose or more rapidly."<ref>{{cite news|last=Gathany|first=Bob|date=January 20, 2016|title=21 Botched Executions|work=[[The Huntsville Times]]|url=https://www.al.com/living/2016/01/botched_executions.html|access-date=October 3, 2021}}</ref> McCoy's [[last meal]] was a cheeseburger, french fries, and a strawberry milkshake.<ref>{{cite news|title=Houston man is executed for 1981 slaying|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86433216/houston-man-is-executed-for-1981-slaying/|newspaper=[[Austin American-Statesman]]|date=May 24, 1989|page=22|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=October 3, 2021}}</ref> He made no final statement.<ref>{{cite news|date=May 24, 1989|title=Texas inmate executed for killing stranded motorist|work=[[United Press International]]|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1989/05/24/Texas-inmate-executed-for-killing-stranded-motorist/3256611985600/|access-date=October 3, 2021}}</ref>
On September 20, 1989, Paster was executed via lethal injection at the Huntsville Unit for the capital murder of Robert Howard.<ref>{{cite news|date=September 21, 1989|title=Ex-Singer Executed in Texas for Contract Killing|work=[[The New York Times]]|url=http://www.nytimes.com/1989/09/21/us/ex-singer-executed-in-texas-for-contract-killing.html|access-date=October 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180213201131/http://www.nytimes.com/1989/09/21/us/ex-singer-executed-in-texas-for-contract-killing.html|archive-date=February 13, 2018}}</ref> Prior to his execution, Paster confessed to murdering two other women in the Houston area, but he was never tried for either of the two killings.<ref>{{cite news|last=Graczyk|first=Michael|date=September 20, 1989|title=URGENT Former Elvis Impersonator Linked To Five Murders Executed In Texas|work=[[Associated Press]]|url=https://apnews.com/article/ba3920fa22949e704d88455132e7365d|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220416093848/https://apnews.com/article/ba3920fa22949e704d88455132e7365d|access-date=October 3, 2021|archive-date=April 16, 2022}}</ref> Paster's last meal consisted of steak, salad, french fried potatoes, and watermelon.<ref>{{cite news|date=September 19, 1989|title=Death row inmate faces Wednesday execution|work=[[United Press International]]|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1989/09/19/Death-row-inmate-faces-Wednesday-execution/7192622180800/|access-date=October 3, 2021}}</ref>
They are both buried at [[Captain Joe Byrd Cemetery]].
==See also==
* [[Capital punishment in Texas]]
* [[Capital punishment in the United States]]
* [[List of botched executions]]
* [[List of people executed in Texas, 1982–1989]]
* [[List of serial killers in the United States]]
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Paster, James and Stephen McCoy}}
[[Category:1945 births]]
[[Category:1948 births]]
[[Category:1989 deaths]]
[[Category:20th-century American criminals]]
[[Category:20th-century executions by Texas]]
[[Category:20th-century executions of American people]]
[[Category:American male criminals]]
[[Category:American rapists]]
[[Category:Criminals from Ohio]]
[[Category:Executed American serial killers]]
[[Category:People executed by Texas by lethal injection]]
[[Category:People from Hamilton County, Ohio]]
[[Category:People from Harris County, Texas]]
[[Category:Serial killer duos]]
[[Category:Serial killers from Texas]]