Death Row Inmate Plucks Eye, Eats It

Killer of own family getting mental care he had 'begged for'

By the Associated Press

Posted Jan 9, 2009 7:00 PM CST

(AP) – A Texas death row inmate with a history of mental problems pulled out his only good eye and told authorities he ate it, the AP reports. Thomas was treated at an East Texas medical center after the incident last month. He was transferred and remains at a prison psychiatric facility southwest of Houston. "He will finally be able to receive the mental health care that we had wanted and begged for from day 1," his trial attorney said.

Andre Thomas, 25, was arrested for the fatal stabbings of his estranged wife, their young son and her 13-month-old daughter in March 2004. Their hearts also had been ripped out. He was convicted and condemned for the infant's death. While in the Grayson County Jail in Sherman, Thomas plucked out his right eye before his trial later in 2004. A judge subsequently ruled he was competent to stand trial.

[Images (1)]

[Quotes (1)]

Texas death row inmate Andre Thomas is shown in this undated handout file photo released Friday, Jan. 9, 2009 in Huntsville, Texas. (AP Photo)

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He is insane and mentally ill. It is exactly the same reason he pulled out the last one. - Bobbie Peterson-Cate,
Thomas' trial attorney

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 9 comments

Guest

Aug 19, 2009 2:47 AM CDT

Hell of a strange way to beg for help, if that was begging why did'nt he just eat his own crap or use it as lip gloss? that would have gotten him attension he wants. Burry him up to neck (roman style) and let the ants or human children have at him! PS i'm no Republican!?!?!?

Shannonals

Jan 12, 2009 1:33 AM CST

Eye for an eye...get it?

riffran

Jan 11, 2009 10:54 PM CST

damn....plucked out his own eye....thats hard core baby......I geuss now he can sue the jail for allowing him to endanger himself...lol....thas jus plain ole sick though...aint it?

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Death Row Inmate Plucks Eye, Eats It