The Last Words of Larry Swearingen

Today the State of Texas murdered an innocent man. Many people participated in my demise,
beginning with the Montgomery County police who falsely arrested me without a warrant and
particularly officer Leo Mock who planted the pantyhose in my home that was used to convict
me. Harris County medical examiner Joye Carter then lied about the length of time Melissa
Trotter's corpse laid in the woods. Judge Fred Edwards and the Montgomery County district
attorney's office refused to give me a fair shake in legal proceedings, while the Houston
Chronicle with other local media shared the same lack of fair play when it came to the court of
public opinion. The Texas Criminal Court of Appeals rejected my filings without even looking at
them, and finally governor Greg Abbott pulled the trigger.

I also have to include myself in this accounting. Not because I had anything to do with Melissa's
murder. She was my friend. But in my youth, I made a lot of stupid mistakes. When I was
abducted by Montgomery County police in December 1998, I had been driving a stolen vehicle
and was trying to commit insurance fraud. I was philandering with Melissa and other women
instead of taking care of my wife and kids. I had been violent with both women and men. I put
myself in a perfect position to be framed for murder.

Sadly, so many people have suffered from all this. Melissa's family and friends were denied the
opportunity for closure. My family was torn apart. My mother was ostracized and harassed to the
point she had to leave her home, and my son is currently in jail.

I have spent the last 19 years in solitary confinement, in a situation you wouldn't put a stray dog
into. And this forced me to grow up. I found I had far more potential than I ever dreamed
possible. I learned Texas law to the point where I proved my innocence beyond any shadow of
doubt -- although unfortunately for me, actual innocence is not legal cause for stopping an
execution.

I have made so many beautiful friends from all over the world, and I know they loved me and
cared for me, as I did for them. This probably wouldn't have happened if I had been left to my
own devices. I want to thank them and my excellent attorneys who worked all these years for no
money just to keep me safe.

In closing, I want everyone to know I'm not angry about my execution. Sure I would've liked to
live and go free. But I feel certain that my death can be a catalyst to change the insane legal
system of Texas which could allow this to happen. I am now one of God's sacrificial lambs, and
hopefully people will use my example to help keep others from experiencing this dreadful and
wrongful persecution.

With love in my heart and peace in my mind, I am yours truly, Larry Swearingen.