Eric Nenno

Eric Charles Nenno (April 13, 1961 – October 28, 2008) was a convicted sex offender who was executed for the 1995 rape and murder of seven-year-old Nicole Benton. He was executed in 2008 in Huntsville, Texas, becoming the 1128th murderer to be executed in the United States since 1976. He was the 13th murderer executed in Texas in 2008 and the 418th murderer executed in Texas since 1976.

As Buddy was playing with his country music band, Nenno lured Nicole, who was playing in the front yard, to his home on the pretense of getting a guitar to join the group. The moment Nenno and Nicole were inside his home he struggled to rape her. As Nicole cried and resisted, he strangled her to death. He raped her lifeless body for several days and hid her corpse in his attic, stuffing her clothing in a filing cabinet. Nicole's polka-dot dress, glasses, and shoes were later found in this cabinet.

A few days after Nicole's disappearance, law enforcement agents showed up at Nenno's residence

Sentencing On February 1, 1996, the Harris County jury, that heard the case, deliberated for about 11 hours, before deciding on the death penalty for Eric Nenno.

Execution On October 28, 2008, Eric Charles Nenno was executed by lethal injection in Huntsville Unit in Texas. Nenno did not look at Buddy Benton or the other members of the victim's family who attended his execution. When asked if he wanted to make a last statement, he replied, "No, warden." The lethal injection was then started. He gasped four times and, eight minutes later at 6:20 p.m., Nenno was pronounced dead. He is buried at Captain Joe Byrd Cemetery.

Final meal His last meal was a grilled cheeseburger, four fish patties, six hard boiled eggs, and coffee.