Texas Inmate Blaine Milam to Be Executed for Brutal 2008 Child Murder

New Delhi | September 25, 2025 Blaine Milam, once described by prosecutors as the perpetrator of one of the most horrific child murders in Texas history, is set to be executed by lethal injection on Thursday evening at the state penitentiary in Huntsville. Sixteen years after the crime, Milam, now 35, will face the ultimate punishment for the December 2008 killing of 13-month-old Amora Carson, his then-girlfriend’s daughter. A Crime That Shocked Texas Milam was only 18 years old when authorities accused him and his girlfriend, Jesseca Carson, of carrying out what they called an “exorcism” on baby Amora. Prosecutors said the couple claimed the child was possessed and subjected her to unimaginable torture for nearly 30 hours inside Milam’s trailer in Rusk County, East Texas. According to forensic testimony, Amora’s body bore the evidence of severe and repeated violence. She suffered multiple skull fractures, broken arms and legs, crushed ribs, strangulation marks, mutilation injuries, and dozens of bite wounds. The forensic pathologist who examined her body reported that the injuries were so extensive that it was impossible to determine a single fatal cause — any number of them could have ended her life. Milam and Carson’s Separate Trials Both Milam and Carson were teenagers at the time. Carson was tried separately, convicted of capital murder, and sentenced to life in prison without parole. Milam, however, received the death penalty. Throughout his time on death row, he has insisted on his innocence, often pointing the finger at Carson as the sole culprit. Appeals and Defense Claims In recent years, Milam’s attorneys sought to halt his execution, filing appeals with the U.S. Supreme Court. They argued that the conviction relied heavily on “discredited” forensic techniques, including bite-mark analysis and questionable DNA evidence. His lawyers also pointed out alleged signs of intellectual disability, which under federal law could make him ineligible for the death penalty. The defense further claimed that Carson suffered from severe psychological conditions, including delusions and a visual-perception disorder that caused her to see “malevolent distortions” in her daughter’s face. They suggested this mental state contributed to the crime, casting doubt on Milam’s culpability. Prosecutors Reject New Claims The Texas Attorney General’s Office pushed back firmly, maintaining that Milam’s conviction was supported by overwhelming evidence. Officials argued that even without the disputed bite-mark findings, other proof — including Milam’s attempt to conceal evidence and a confession he made to a nurse — tied him directly to Amora’s death. DNA samples, prosecutors emphasized, continued to link him to the crime scene and the victim’s body. On Tuesday, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles denied Milam’s final plea for clemency. His earlier execution dates, set for 2019 and 2021, were postponed due to legal interventions, but this time the process has moved forward. Context of U.S. Executions in 2025 If carried out, Milam’s execution will be the fifth in Texas this year and the 33rd nationwide in 2025. On the same evening, Alabama is also scheduled to execute Geoffrey West, convicted of murdering a gas station worker during a 1997 robbery. Florida leads the country with 12 executions so far this year, with at least two more expected by mid-October. For Texas, Milam’s case stands as one of the most disturbing examples of violence against a child, a crime that has haunted the state for nearly two decades. Texas to Execute Blaine Milam for 2008 Child Murder Blaine Milam, convicted of the brutal 2008 killing of 13-month-old Amora Carson in East Texas, is scheduled for execution today by lethal injection. Prosecutors said Milam and his girlfriend tortured the child for nearly 30 hours during a supposed “exorcism,” inflicting skull fractures, broken bones, strangulation marks, and bite wounds. The case was described as one of Texas’ most horrific child murders. Milam’s appeals, citing discredited forensic methods and claims of intellectual disability, were rejected. The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles denied clemency, clearing the way for his execution — the fifth in Texas this year.