David harris murder thin blue line

31st murderer executed in U.S. in 2004
916th murderer executed in U.S. since 1976
10th murderer executed in Texas in 2004
323rd murderer executed in Texas since 1976

Armed with a .38 handgun, Harris broke into the apartment of Mark Mays in Beaumont as Mays and his girlfriend, Roxanne Lockard, slept in a bedroom.

Harris awakened them and ordered Mays to lock himself in a hallway bathroom. He then led Lockard out the back door into his pickup truck. Mays was able to free himself, picked up a pistol, and confronted Harris in the parking lot.

Both men exchanged fire. Mays was struck five times, the last from a distance of 12--24 inches, and died from his wounds.

The thin blue line summary

Harris was hit in the neck and arm, jumped in his truck, and fled. Lockard escaped unharmed. Harris was arrested 4 days later when he was pulle