By KERA News & Wire Services
Dallas, TX – A northeast Texas man has been executed for the slayings of an elderly couple found brutally beaten and stabbed in their home more than 14 years ago.
Larry Wooten received a lethal injection Thursday evening for the 1996 murders of 80-year-old Grady Alexander and his 86-year-old wife, Bessie, in the northeast Texas town of Paris.
DNA evidence helped convict 51-year-old Wooten, including blood found in the kitchen floor of the Alexanders' home that was matched to Wooten.
Prosecutors say Wooten robbed the couple, taking their $500 in savings so he could buy cocaine.
Wooten was the 17th inmate executed this year in the nation's most active death penalty state.
Rangers OF Cruz feels fine, expects to play Friday
Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz says his left hamstring feels fine and he expects to play in Game 6 of the AL championship series Friday night.
Cruz said Thursday before a team workout that he feels nothing wrong when he is walking. That's an encouraging sign for the slugger, who went on the disabled list three times this season and missed 51 games because of hamstring problems. Twice, the injury was to his left leg.
Rangers manager Ron Washington says he took Cruz out of Game 5 against the New York Yankees on Wednesday as a precaution after the outfielder indicated he felt some tightness in his hamstring.
Washington says he didn't want to take any chances in the cool weather, and that Cruz "is fine to go" for Game 6.
Bryan principal wins $25,000 Milken educator award
A principal in Bryan says she was expecting a visit from Gov. Rick Perry, but not the $25,000 check he gave her from the Milken Family Foundation for being an exemplary educator.
Milam Elementary School Principal Tracy Spies received the Milken National Educator Award at her school on Thursday.
The 36-year-old Houston native is working on her doctorate in bilingual education at Texas A&M University.
Spies says she strives "to really make a difference in the lives of children and give children a chance who otherwise wouldn't have one" but couldn't be the leader she is without her wonderful teachers and staff.
Spies is one of two Milken recipients named in Texas this year. The other is Rogelio Garcia, who teaches at James B. Bonham Elementary in Dallas.