# Texas Execution Could Be First Since Tennessee Failure

> Texas may execute Jamaal Howard, the first person since Tennessee's failed lethal injection attempt.
- Title: Texas Execution Could Be First Since Tennessee Failure
- Summary: Texas may execute Jamaal Howard, the first person since Tennessee's failed lethal injection attempt. Texas could execute Jamaal Howard, a death row inmate…
- Keywords: jamaal howard, texas, lethal injection, pentobarbital, tennessee, christa pike, hardin county, executions, death row, u.s. supreme court, news, local
- Source: The Texas Tribune — https://feeds.texastribune.org/link/16799/17491160/texas-execution-jamaal-howard-lethal-injection-christa-pike-tennessee
- Author: Ayden Runnels
- Published: 2026-10-07T10:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: jamaal howard, texas, lethal injection, pentobarbital, tennessee, christa pike, hardin county, executions, death row, u.s. supreme court, news, local
## Jamaal Howard Convicted
Jamaal Howard, 20, was convicted of fatally shooting Vickie Swartout in a 2000 convenience store robbery in Silsbee, Texas.
## Tennessee Execution Failure
Christa Pike survived a failed lethal injection in Tennessee on September 30 after twice being injected with pentobarbital.
## Texas Uses Pentobarbital
Texas uses pentobarbital compounded in pharmacies for executions because drug manufacturers refuse to sell it for lethal injections.
## Lawyers Request Delay
Howard's lawyers asked Governor Greg Abbott to delay his execution by 30 days to review Texas' pentobarbital safety.
## Appeals Denied
Howard's latest appeal was denied by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, and his execution is now pending a U.S. Supreme Court decision.
## Next Executions
Texas plans to execute Howard and two others this year, with John Rubio scheduled for execution in 2026.
## Key takeaway

Texas could execute Jamaal Howard, a death row inmate convicted of a 2000 robbery, after his final appeals were denied, making him the first person executed since Tennessee's failed lethal injection in September.