Death row killer who cut out his wife and kids' hearts gouges out his own eyes

A death row inmate, who murdered his wife and children before removing their hearts, gouged out his own eyes in a desperate bid to evade execution.

Andre Thomas was handed the death sentence in 2005, but his execution was delayed after he removed his own eyeballs. The San Diego Union-Tribune reported that Thomas was discovered in his cell, drenched in blood, prior to his court appearance in 2004.

In another incident, the man gouged out his remaining eye and consumed it, leaving him completely blind. His legal team stated that he believed this act of self-mutilation would prevent the government from hearing his thoughts.

The 39-year-old is currently incarcerated in Texas for a triple murder he committed and confessed to. He admitted to killing his estranged wife, Laura Christine Boren, their four year old son, and Boren's 13-month-old daughter.

He informed the police that God had instructed him to carry out the murders and he believed the three victims were demons. Thomas also removed the hearts of both children, as reported by the Associated Press, reports <a href="https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/us-news/death-row-prisoner-gauges-out-35721288" rel="Follow" target="_self">the Mirror</a>.

He was found guilty in 2005 and automatically received the death penalty. His execution is scheduled for 5 April 2023.

An agency spokesperson, Jason Clark, said: "Thomas said he pulled out his eye and subsequently ingested it."

In March 2023, Judge Jim Fallon rescinded the execution warrant for Andre Thomas after his legal team requested more time to assess his mental competency in relation to the death penalty.

The Supreme Court has ruled that while capital punishment is not illegal for individuals with severe mental illnesses, the person must be competent.

Thomas' lawyer, Marie Levin, said: "We are confident that when we present the evidence of Mr. Thomas's incompetence, the court will agree that executing him would violate the Constitution.

"Guiding this blind psychotic man to the gurney for execution offends our sense of humanity and serves no legitimate purpose."

Levin described Thomas as "one of the most mentally ill prisoners in Texas history ... not competent to be executed, lacking a rational understanding of the state's reason for his execution."

After he consumed his first eyeball, Thomas received treatment at a medical centre before being moved to a prison psychiatric ward.

His trial attorney, Bobbie Peterson-Cate, expressed relief that he would "finally be able to receive the mental health care that we had wanted and begged for from day 1."

In March 2023, over 100 faith leaders and others issued a plea for clemency to halt his execution. However, J.

Kerye Ashmore from the Grayson County District Attorney's Office, who prosecuted the case, claimed they knew "nothing about the case" and had not reviewed any reports or evaluations concerning his mental state.

Thomas continues to await his fate on death row.