North Texas Man Faces Execution for 2013 Stabbing of Girlfriend and Her Son

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Cedric Ricks, a 51-year-old North Texas man, is scheduled to be executed on Wednesday for the 2013 murders of his girlfriend Roxann Sanchez and her 8-year-old son Anthony Figueroa. Ricks was convicted of fatally stabbing the two victims during an argument in their Bedford, Texas apartment. Ricks' attorneys have appealed the sentence, arguing that prosecutors unconstitutionally excluded minority jurors from the trial.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing debates around the death penalty in Texas, which has carried out more executions than any other state. Ricks' lawyers argue his constitutional rights were violated, raising questions about fairness in the judicial process. The brutal nature of the crimes has also sparked outrage in the local community.

The details

According to court records, in May 2013 Ricks and his girlfriend Roxann Sanchez were arguing in their Bedford apartment when Sanchez's two sons, 8-year-old Anthony Figueroa and 12-year-old Marcus Figueroa, tried to intervene. Ricks then grabbed a knife from the kitchen and stabbed Roxann Sanchez multiple times, killing her. He then turned on the two boys, fatally stabbing Anthony and seriously injuring Marcus, who survived by playing dead. Ricks did not harm his own 9-month-old son, Isaiah, who was also present.

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

What they’re saying

What’s next

The U.S. Supreme Court is currently considering Ricks' request for a stay of execution, with a decision expected before his scheduled lethal injection on Wednesday.