Women Who Kill (And Pay For It): Every Texas Woman Who Has Been Executed

Statistically speaking, women are much less likely to commit a violent crime than their male counterparts. Only 1 in 10 homicides is committed by a woman.

Why Have So Few Women Gotten The Death Penalty In Texas?

In Texas, murder alone isn't necessarily enough to get you the death penalty- a punishment that is reserved for particularly egregious offenses, like the murder of a child, murder while committing another felony (like kidnapping or sexual assault), or the murder of a police officer.

Read More: Notorious: The Life And Crimes Of Every Woman Executed In Texas

Additionally, to receive capital punishment, the State must prove "future dangerousness," which is usually established with violent prior offenses or violent behavior after arrest.

And finally, the prosecution has to have the stomach for it. Death penalty cases are extremely expensive and closely watched by the public and the media. Is it worth risking your career to attempt this punishment on a potentially sympathetic woman?

How Many Women Are On Texas's Death Row? How Many Have Been Executed?

Because of these reasons, only six women are on death row, and only six have ever been executed, an oddly congruent coincidence.

These small handfuls of women were deemed to have committed crimes so heinous and unthinkable that prosecutors risked their reputation on their punishment, and the jury* handed down the ultimate retribution.

*Only a unanimous jury, not a judge, can give the death penalty in Texas. 

A Life Spared: When Are Texas Courts Not Allowed To Give The Death Penalty?

Read More: When Are Texas Courts Not Allowed To Give The Death Penalty?

So, what horrible crime must you commit as a woman to land on death row? These women are perfect examples, and they all paid the ultimate price for their transgressions.