Spending a long time behind bars can do a lot to a person. Some criminals become even better criminals, and a small percentage of others change for the better. The inmate in the following story appears to belong to the latter.
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After spending over a decade in jail, he seemed to be cleaning up his act and the victim's family even noticed it. But by the time everyone was coming around and seeing him for the better person he had become, it was too late. Here's what happened along his journey…
A Tragedy
Mitesh Patel describes the pain of losing his father when his dad was robbed and killed at his own East Side convenience store in Bexar County, Texas. He was 55-years-old at the time of his death and the tragedy devastated the Patel family.
Death Of A Convenience Store Owner
The man responsible for Hasmukh Patel's death was a man named Christopher Young, 34, who never denied the slaying, which was recorded on the store's surveillance camera. Young instead insisted that he was drunk and didn't intend to kill Hasmukh…
Victims
Young drank nearly two dozen beers and then did cocaine that Sunday morning, November 21, 2004. He also had sexually assaulted and carjacked a woman on the same night just prior to taking out his frustrations on an innocent man.
What Happened That Night
According to court documents, Young sexually assaulted the woman in her apartment where her three young children were present, then forced her to drive off with him in the car. She managed to escape but Young reportedly drove one block to the Mini Food Mart where owner Patel was shot…
The Arrest
He was arrested 90 minutes later after picking up a prostitute and driving to a crack house where the stolen car was parking outside and spotted by police. Young explained to the police that the shooting stemmed from a dispute he believed involved the mother of one of his three children and the store owner.
He Knew Patel
"[Patel] is not a bad dude at all. I was drunk. We knew the victim. The whole confrontation went wrong. I thought he was reaching for a gun and a shot." Being that Young was already on probation when he committed the string of crimes, he was sentenced to the death penalty…
Reflections In Jail
But over the next decade he spent in jail, Young seemed to have had an enlightening, or some kind of revelation as he waited to be executed. He told the Associated Press from prison, "I didn't know about death row. It needs to be talked about. You've got a whole new generation. You've got to stop this, not just executions but the crimes."
Pleading With The State Of Texas
He continued saying, "Nobody's talking to the kids [on the streets]. I can't bring Hash [Hasmukh Patel] back but I can do something to make sure there are no more Hashes." Young, who had a daughter of his own had her to think about and not just himself and he continued to plead with the court…
Pushback
Then in 2017, Young's case sparked pushback from religious leaders who said he deserved a new trial in light of alleged religious discrimination during jury selection. Young and his lawyers also argued that he was no longer a Bloods street gang member, had matured in prison and hoped to show others "look where you can end up."
He Enjoyed Music
Before Young got involved in the wrong things, he excelled at chess, violin, cello, and bass. He also has a daughter at home and if he was killed, he'd never get a chance to be part of her life. Mitesh Patel, Hasmukh's son, understood this and he said in a statement to CNN…
Being A Father To His Daughter
"[Young is] actively involved in [his] daughter's visits. He's trying to be a good father. Being a father myself, and having lost a father, I don't want someone to go through life without a father," Mitesh said. He said he didn't always feel this way though, especially not when Young was first sentenced.
Remembering The Values His Father Taught Him
Over a decade ago, Mitesh felt that justice was being served. But recently, his stance began to change as he reflected on the values his father taught him. "Two wrongs don't make a right," he said. "Killing Chris doesn't change my path, my history. It only affects a whole other set of people."
Board's Ruling
The U.S. Supreme Court wound up turning down the appeal in January 2018 and Texas prisons received notification of an impending death date. Still, Young's lawyers and the Patel family fought for his clemency. Mitesh also expressed disappointment in the board's ruling.
Denying Him Clemency
With legal options running out, Young's lawyers were seeking a 30-day reprieve from Texas Governor Greg Abbott. His lawyers filed legal challenges, arguing the fact that their client being black played a role in the board's decision to deny him clemency…
A Change Of Heart
Mitesh's other family members were also vocal about not wanting Young put to death. This came as a surprise to many who knew the horrific tragedy that the family suffered at Young's hands. On July 16, 2018, Mitesh even visited Young in prison.
Emotional Meeting
He described the meeting as emotional for both of them, saying he felt "a sense of sadness" after the meeting. "I really do believe Chris Young is not the person he was 14 years ago. It's really unfortunate that the board didn't hear our request for clemency. I feel sadness for his family. They're going to be walking down the same path my family has been on the last 14 years," Mitesh said.
The Victim's Family
Mitesh also believed Young when he expressed remorse about his father's killing. Sister Helen Prejean, the anti-death penalty activist, also weighed in on the case. She wrote on her Twitter: "Over many years working against the death penalty, I've often heard the argument that executions bring closure and justice to victims' families. What about families who don't want an execution? They are ignored by prosecutors, judges, and politicians. Where's the justice for them?"
Mentorship
Young told KSAT that during his days behind bars, he spoke to young kids brought by his aunt from church and mentored them. His goal was to deter them from taking the path that he took, as he didn't want them to end up as he did. "The only way to triumph over death is making your life a masterpiece," Young said.
Execution
Despite objections from the victim's family and thousands of people who signed a petition to grant Young clemency, he was executed on July 17, 2017. While some victims' families choose to attend the executions, Patel's family declined to witness it and they spent the night together as a family.
Last Statement
Christopher Young's last statement was: "I want to make sure the Patel family knows I love them like they love me. Make sure the kids in the world know I'm being executed and those kids I've been mentoring keep this fight going. I'm good Warden."