Who is James Broadnax? Texas execution, Supreme Court appeal

On Thursday, barring last-minute intervention by the U.S. Supreme Court, James Broadnax will be executed for the robbery and deadly shooting of Christian music producers.

A Texas death row inmate is scheduled to be executed Thursday unless the U.S. Supreme Court intervenes at the last minute.

Broadnax was sentenced to death in 2009 for the robbery and fatal shooting of Christian music producers Stephen Swan and Matthew Butler. He has since filed multiple appeals in state and federal courts, all of which have been denied.

Broadnax’s attorneys argue he did not pull the trigger. In a final appeal, they say his cousin and co-defendant, Demarius Cummings — who received a life sentence — confessed to shooting both men and convinced Broadnax to take the blame.

That claim has not been reviewed by a court and was rejected on procedural grounds by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, which said it should have been raised earlier.

His legal team also argues that prosecutors improperly struck potential jurors based on race, resulting in a nearly all-white jury, according to the Texas Tribune.

The appeal also claims that statements Broadnax made admitting to the killings — including to media — came while he was under the influence of drugs and experiencing severe psychological distress.

The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals declined to consider the new confession claim. In a concurring opinion, one judge noted Broadnax has not recanted his confession in the 16 years since his conviction.

The U.S. Supreme Court also rejected two of Broadnax’s appeals Monday. One argued prosecutors used “racially inflammatory” evidence by mischaracterizing rap lyrics he had written.

Houston rapper Travis Scott was among several nationally known artists who filed briefs supporting the appeal related to the use of rap lyrics as evidence.

The Supreme Court could still intervene to halt the execution. If it does not, Broadnax would become the third person executed in Texas in 2026. Three more executions are currently scheduled after his.

State Rep. John Bucy, D-Austin, has urged the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles to intervene, calling the trial “biased” and “racially charged” and arguing the execution would be a miscarriage of justice.