Tiana Krasniqi, the British wife of a convicted US death row murderer, says she has become close friends with the daughter of one of his victims. The 31-year-old from Lewisham, South East London, married James Broadnax while he was in prison. Broadnax was executed by lethal injection last Thursday for the 2008 murders of music producers Matthew Butler and Stephen Swan.
Unexpected Bond
Krasniqi claims that McKayla Butler, 19, whose father Matthew was killed, contacted her in January. Despite the circumstances, they developed a bond. Krasniqi says McKayla did not want Broadnax to be executed and believed he was innocent. McKayla had planned to meet Broadnax before his execution, but the meeting was prevented by legal restrictions.
Claim of Innocence
Broadnax was convicted of shooting and robbing the two men in a recording studio car park in Garland, Dallas. His cousin, Demarius Cummings, who was jailed for life without parole for the same crime, later claimed he was the shooter. Broadnax's lawyers argued that his confession was false and made under the influence of PCP. Despite appeals, the execution proceeded.
Krasniqi said: 'Back in December, January, McKayla Butler, who is Matthew Butler's daughter, got in touch with me. Obviously I had to ask the lawyers if it was OK for me to speak to her because James wanted me to speak to her.' She added that McKayla knew James didn't do it and was against the execution.
Prosecution's Stance
Prosecutors maintained that Broadnax confessed and showed no remorse. However, Cummings' confession and forensic evidence, including DNA on the murder weapon, were presented in appeals. Theresa Butler, Matthew Butler's mother, dismissed the confession as a 'stall tactic'.
Racial Bias Allegations
Broadnax's attorneys alleged constitutional violations, claiming prosecutors eliminated potential black jurors based on race, using a spreadsheet that bolded black names. They also argued that rap lyrics used as evidence unfairly portrayed Broadnax as violent. The US Supreme Court's 1986 Batson v Kentucky ruling prohibits racial discrimination in jury selection.
Emotional Aftermath
Krasniqi says she suffers flashbacks and panic attacks after witnessing the execution. She described his last moments: 'His head jerked back and couldn't finish his last word and his head fell looking at me and he closed his eyes.' She disputes reports that he died peacefully, stating he suffered as his lips and face turned blue.
Despite the tragedy, Krasniqi continues to advocate for her late husband, insisting on his innocence and maintaining her friendship with McKayla Butler, who she says is doing well and getting married soon.
