Full Breakdown
Texas Man Executed for 2013 Murders of Girlfriend and Her Son
3/13/2026, 3:51:07 AM
Execution Details and Background
Cedric Ricks, a 51-year-old man, was executed by lethal injection on March 11, 2026, at the Huntsville Unit in Texas. He was condemned for the brutal murders of his girlfriend, 30-year-old Roxann Sanchez, and her 8-year-old son, Anthony Figueroa, in May 2013. The attack occurred in their Bedford apartment during a domestic dispute, where Ricks fatally stabbed both victims while also injuring Sanchez's 12-year-old son, Marcus Figueroa, who survived by feigning death.
During the execution, Ricks expressed remorse, particularly addressing Marcus, stating, “I’m sorry for taking Roxann and Anthony from y’all.” He hoped for forgiveness from the victims' family members and expressed a desire to meet them in the afterlife to apologize again.
The Murders
On the night of the killings, Ricks and Sanchez were involved in a heated argument. When her sons intervened, Ricks escalated the violence, grabbing a knife from the kitchen. He stabbed Sanchez multiple times and then attacked Anthony and Marcus. After the assault, Ricks fled the scene, leaving his own infant son, Isaiah, unharmed. He was later apprehended in Oklahoma.
During his trial, Ricks claimed he acted in self-defense against the boys, citing his anger issues. He had a history of domestic violence, including a prior assault charge against Sanchez, which had led to an emergency protective order that expired shortly before the murders.
Legal Proceedings and Appeals
Ricks faced a capital murder trial where he was found guilty. His defense team argued that his constitutional rights were violated during jury selection, claiming that potential jurors were excluded based on race. However, the Texas Attorney General's Office maintained that the jury selection was race-neutral, and lower courts had previously dismissed these claims. The U.S. Supreme Court rejected Ricks' final appeal without comment, and the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles denied his request for a reprieve.
Witness Accounts and Family Impact
Witnesses to the execution included family members of the victims, who reportedly showed no emotion during the proceedings. Marcus Figueroa, who survived the attack, had to testify against Ricks during the trial, recounting the traumatic events he experienced. He bore physical scars from the attack, a constant reminder of the violence he endured.
Broader Implications
Ricks' execution marks him as the second person executed in Texas in 2026 and the sixth in the United States this year. Texas has a long history of capital punishment, leading the nation in executions. The case has reignited discussions about the death penalty, particularly concerning issues of race and jury selection in capital cases.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I want to say that I’m sorry for taking Roxann and Anthony from y’all,” — Cedric Ricks
- “I always thought about you and I’m sorry that I took your mom and your brother away.” — Cedric Ricks
- “viciously stabbed his girlfriend Roxann and her eight-year-old son Anthony to death,” — Texas Attorney General’s Office
Ricks' case highlights the complexities surrounding domestic violence, mental health, and the legal system's handling of capital punishment.
