Miguel Paredes, a former gang member linked to the Mexican Mafia, has been executed on Tuesday in a death chamber located at Huntsville, Texas after he was found guilty as one of the three people who killed their rivals back in 2000 in San Antonio.

Paredes, 32, was convicted 14 years ago as he and two other men slayed three people whose bodies were said to have been rolled up in a carpet and driven 50 miles away from the area. The bodies were dumped on a farm, then set on fire. A farmer who was investigating the said grass fire was the one who notified the officials after finding the remains of the burnt bodies.

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Paredes reportedly died at 6:54 P.M. CDT after being injected with a lethal dose of a sedative called pentobarbital. The drugs took effect 22 minutes after he was injected. Witnesses said he took several deep breaths, prayed, and started to snore, which eventually stopped.

According to Department of Criminal Justice spokesman Jason Clark, the execution was delayed a bit as they had to assure all IV lines were working. Also, the needles of the IV lines were said to be inserted into Paredes' hands instead of the normal procedure where needles are placed in the fold of one's arm near its elbows.

Paredes reportedly smiled and mouthed several kisses to his four friends who came to see him for the last time. He also told them he loved them. He added that he hopes the families of the victims they have killed have already let go of all their hatred towards him and his actions.

He also said in a statement: "I came in as a lion and I come as peaceful as a lamb. I'm at peace. I hope society sees who else they are hurting with this."

The U.S. Supreme Court has received a last-day appeal from the attorneys of Paredes who claimed that their client was mentally impaired. His attorneys defended that Paredes, who was then 18, grew up in a neighborhood where joining a gang was the only way to survive. The appeal was rejected.

On the other hand, the prosecutors pressed that Paredes was the most aggressive shooter when the three victims identified as Nelly Bravo, Shawn Michael Cain, and Adrian Torres showed up at his boss' house, John Anthony Saenz, to collect drug money.

Paredes' death penalty is the 10th case in Texas this year. There are ten more inmates set to die via lethal injection late this year and early next year. 

TagsMiguel Paredes, Mexican Mafia, San Antonio, Texas, 14 years, three people killed, most aggressive shooter, year 2000