Texas Man Faces Execution for Killing Girlfriend and Her 8-Year-Old Son

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A North Texas man named Cedric Ricks is scheduled to be executed on Wednesday for fatally stabbing his girlfriend Roxann Sanchez and her 8-year-old son Anthony Figueroa nearly 13 years ago. Ricks was sentenced to death for the May 2013 killings that also left Sanchez's 12-year-old son Marcus Figueroa injured. Ricks' attorneys have appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, arguing that prosecutors violated his constitutional rights by eliminating potential jurors on the basis of race.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing debates around the death penalty, jury selection, and racial bias in the criminal justice system. Ricks' execution would be the second in Texas this year, a state that has historically carried out more executions than any other.

The details

According to court records, Ricks and Sanchez were arguing in their apartment when Sanchez's two sons from a previous marriage, Anthony and Marcus Figueroa, tried to intervene. Ricks then grabbed a knife from the kitchen and began stabbing Sanchez multiple times. After killing Anthony, Ricks resumed stabbing Marcus, who survived by playing dead. Ricks did not injure his own 9-month-old son, Isaiah, who was also present. Ricks fled and was later arrested in Oklahoma.

• The killings occurred in May 2013.
• Ricks is scheduled to be executed on Wednesday, March 11, 2026.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Ricks' attorneys have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to stay his execution, arguing that prosecutors violated his constitutional rights by eliminating potential jurors on the basis of race. The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles has already denied Ricks' request for a 90-day reprieve or commutation of his death sentence.