Death Takes a Holiday

Raphael Holiday, sentenced to death for starting a house fire that killed three children, was executed tonight by the state of Texas. Holiday's own daughter and her two half-sisters were killed in the blaze, which was allegedly started because Holiday was angry that his common-law wife had filed a restraining order against him after he assaulted one of the girls.

Because Texas no longer allows special last meal requests, Holiday was given the same food as others in his unit. For his last meal, Raphael Holiday was served barbecued chicken, potato salad, green beans, black-eyed peas, sliced bread, and Jell-O cake, with a choice of water, tea, or punch to drink.