Sentenced for his role in the 1993 death of a young gay man, now 40 year old Donald Aldrich's time is fast running out. Aldrich says, "I've been on death row for ten years. So, for 10 years, I've had to live with the fact I may one day...I may be executed."
Aldrich is the last of three men to receive his final punishment for his role in the November '93 abduction and murder of Nicholas West. A young victim, targeted because he was gay. West's body was found two days after he had been murdered, in a clay pit in Smith County.
The second convicted capital murderer: Henry Dunn, already has been executed. A third man; David McMillan received a life sentence for his role in the crime. Aldrich says, "It was supposed to be a simple robbery-car jacking. Nicholas wasn't supposed to be killed. He was supposed to be taken out into the woods, tied up."
After the trio abducted the young man, Aldrich says he promised West he would not be harmed. Aldrich says; "Just drive, do what you're told and you won't get hurt. So, basically I've given him my word at this point that; you do what you're supposed to do, I'll take care of what we got to, you're free to go."
Aldrich tells NBC56 the shooting and murder happened in a matter of seconds and according to Aldrich it was Dunn's bullets exclusively that took West's life. A jury disagreed and Aldrich was sentenced to death. When asked, "What would you say to someone if they say: Donald Aldrich deserves to die?" Aldrich replied; "How do you know?" "Are you God?"
As for any remorse; Aldrich tells says he would tell the dead man's family he is sorry, but in his words; "Why would his family believe me."
Donald Aldrich is scheduled to die October 12th. He'll be taken from Death Row at the Polunsky Unit in Livingston to Huntsville.
