Wardlow executed for 1993 murder

A Northeast Texas man has been executed for the 1993 murder of Carl Cole.

Billy Joe Wardlow had been convicted April 13, 1995 of the murder of the 82 year old Cole, of Cason. He was sentenced to death June 15 of that same year.

Wardlow’s execution at the Walls Unit of the Huntsville State Penitentiary had originally been scheduled for April 29, but had been delayed due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic.

Wardlow offered no final statement before his execution by lethal injection was carried out July 8. He was pronounced dead 6:52 p.m.