Steven Lawayne Nelson, 37, was executed in Texas on Wednesday for the 2011 murder of Reverend Clint Dobson. Nelson's execution, carried out by lethal injection, occurred at a state penitentiary in Huntsville, Texas, concluding at 6:50 p.m. local time.

In his final words, Nelson expressed love for his wife, Helene Noa Dubois, who witnessed the execution alongside a service dog. He maintained his composure, stating, "It is what it is. I'm not scared. I'm at peace. Let's ride, Warden." As the pentobarbital took effect, he uttered, "Love," before gasping twice and becoming still. He was pronounced dead 24 minutes later.

Nelson was convicted of killing Dobson during a robbery at NorthPointe Baptist Church in Arlington. Dobson, who was 28, was found beaten, strangled, and suffocated. Nelson claimed he acted as a lookout while two others committed the murder, insisting Dobson was still alive when he left the scene. He admitted to taking Dobson's laptop and receiving the church secretary's car keys and credit cards from one of the other alleged robbers.

Authorities apprehended Nelson after he used the stolen credit cards. His arrest came just days after his release from an anger management program, a condition of a plea deal stemming from an aggravated assault charge against his girlfriend.

The Dobson family released a statement focusing on their memories of Clint rather than Nelson's actions. Judy Elliott's son, Bradley, expressed forgiveness towards Nelson. Nelson's legal team appealed the conviction, citing inadequate representation. They argued that the alibis of the other two men were not properly challenged and that mitigating evidence of Nelson's difficult upbringing was not presented.

Nelson's execution is the second in the U.S. this year and the first of four scheduled in Texas in the coming months. Instead of a last meal request, he selected from the standard prison menu, which included lemon pepper chicken or a cheeseburger.