Lawrence Russell Brewer Jasper painting 15"×20" EXECUTED

This auction is for a painting by executed Texas convicted murderer Lawrence Russell Brewer (3/13/1967 – 9/21/ 2011). During the early morning hours of 6/7/1998, in rural Jasper County, Russell Brewer, with accomplices Shawn Allen Berry and John William King, invited a local African American man they knew to accompany them, after seeing him walking home. After what was initially thought to be "a drug deal gone bad," the three men beat, stabbed, and dragged his body about three miles. Forensic evidence very clearly suggested the victim was dead prior to being dragged. The victim was later said to be alive while he was dragged to add kidnapping to the charges in order to secure a death sentence. John King was convicted for his role in the crime and sentenced to death on 2/25/1999. Russell Brewer and Shawn Berry were each tried separately. Russell Brewer was convicted and sentenced to death on 9/23/1999. Shawn Berry rejected a plea deal (offered by the U.S. goverment), was convicted at trial, and subsequently sentenced to life on 11/19/1999. Due to gross misconduct by prosecutors and numerous legal issues, John King's execution was delayed. But the State of Texas kills, regardless of innocence or guilt. John King was executed 4/24/2019. Brewer was executed 9/21/2011. He was 49. 

The Jasper dragging death case was largely celebrated in the press. Accomplice John King has been the focus on literary works, movies, and fictional Hollywood depictions. The Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles has an entire display dedicated to detailing the case, which continues to receive media attention to this day.

There are two interesting facts about the executions of both Lawrence Russell Brewer and John William King. Russell Brewer was said to have declined his final meal, thus creating a change within the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, dispensing with the customary "last meal" request. Inmates to be executed would be given what the prison was serving that evening, no special requests to be accepted. The truth is Russell Brewer left his bible in the prison transportation van, which had all of his phone numbers. Texas death row inmates are not allowed to use the phone, except in the hours leading up to their executions. So, you can image having those numbers are very important. Officers gave Russell Brewer a choice, they would either get his final meal or his bible. Of course this isn't how the incident was presented to the media. Another change in policy came with the execution of John King, who gave a final written statement, "Capital punishment: Them without the capital get the punishment." Written statements are important as the State of Texas routinely misprints final words on their website. Without a final written statement they can basically print whatever they want. This only hurts surviving family members. After John King's powerful last words, the T.D.C.J. barred inmates from giving a final written statements.

ITEM DESCRIPTION: The painting was done in watercolor, measures 15"×20", and is signed in the bottom right corner, "Russell Brewer." On the reverse Brewer has written, "Painted in the death cell & by the hand of Lawarence Russell Brewwer, Lawrence Russell Brewer, Texas Death Row, USA, 2009, execution number 999327." Brewer did very little in the line of artwork. Outside of his family I haven't seen any other pieces in circulation. And he certainly wasn't doing artwork like this for his family! The painting is still wrapped in the pastic it was mailed out in. Message me with any questions you might have. Thanks for having a look-see.