Chaos Erupts, 2 Arrested During Texas Execution

Inmate Billie Cobble. The 70-year-old who slayed three people—including the parents of his estranged wife—was administered a single dose of pentobarbital in Texas’ death chamber on Feb. 28. Texas Department of Criminal Justice via AP

HUNTSVILLE, Texas—Chaos erupted outside Texas’ death chamber on the night of Feb. 28 when the son of the condemned inmate pounded on the chamber windows, shouted obscenities and threw fists after his father spoke his final words.

Billie Wayne Coble, a Vietnam War veteran who killed his estranged wife’s parents and brother and threated to do the same to her in 1989, told the five witnesses he selected to attend his execution that he loved them. Coble nodded at them as they watched from the witness room, adding: “Take care.”