JUST IN: Texas has just executed a criminal for the brutal murder committed to steal $2.
The state of Texas has just carried out its most recent execution. A criminal who mocked his victims in interviews, and after spending 17 years on death row, was executed by lethal injection. Stay with me because in this video, I’ll tell you how his crime unfolded, how his execution was carried out, and what his final words were before he died.
>> Tell me what happened in the parking lot of that recording studio. >> What happened? >> What happened? >> Kid, they bitched. Why? >> James Broadnax was born on October 30th, 1988 in California into a workingclass family considered normal. During his youth, he spent most of his time alone, a situation that contributed to him dropping out of school after completing only the 10th grade.
Before the crime, he had no history of violent behavior and was seen by those who knew him as lazy. His only legal record was a minor conviction for non-violent marijuana possession. Broadnax had a very close relationship with his cousin, Dearius Cummings, with whom he spent much of his time.
Unlike him, Cummings already had a criminal record that included several convictions for robbery and burglary. In 2008, both cousins at 19 years old decided to move to Dallas, Texas, where they continued committing small robberies to support their addictions. In the early hours of June 19th, 2008, James Broadnax and his cousin Dearius Cummings took a train from southeast Dallas to Garland, a suburb they believed was mostly populated by wealthy white residents.
Their goal was to commit a robbery, but they had no specific plan. They were simply looking for a random opportunity. Around 1:00 a.m., after wandering around the area several times, they came across Steven Swan and Matthew Butler outside their recording studio. At first, the cousins showed no signs of aggression and instead struck up a friendly conversation with the music producers.
For about 30 to 45 minutes, they talked about music and the industry, seemingly gaining their trust before leaving the area. However, this was far from a chance encounter with no ulterior motives. Broadnacks and Cummings had already taken note of the victims and were beginning to consider robbing them. After walking away, they decided not to carry out the plan at that moment for reasons that were never entirely clear.
However, when they tried to return to Dallas, they realized that public transportation was no longer running. With no money and no way to get back, they chose to return to the studio. this time with a more determined and violent plan to rob the producers and steal their vehicle to escape. When they returned to the studio, Swan and Butler were still there, something they hadn’t accounted for, so they had to improvise.
Cummings told Broadax that he needed to shoot them. As they approached, Cummings asked for a cigarette, and without giving them a chance to respond, they brutally opened fire. Broadax shot Swan twice. When he fell to the ground and tried to get back up, he shot him once more. Butler, witnessing the scene, attempted to flee, but Broadnack shot him four times.
Both men died on the pavement from gunshot wounds to the head and chest. After the shooting, the attackers searched the victim’s pockets. It is shocking that they took two lives over money. And even more disturbing is that they only ended up with $2 in cash. The most valuable item they stole was Swan’s 1995 Ford Crown Victoria, which they used to flee the scene.
>> [ __ ] You know what I’m saying? We going to get ready to leave. I went back and asked like, “Man, y’all got a uh one of y’all got a cigarette?” You know what I’m saying? Like, “Yep.” So, [ __ ] He went to go reach for it, pulled the pistol, shot him, shot the driver, whoever the [ __ ] he was.
[ __ ] He like the one I shot in first, he stumbled back, you know what I’m saying? Like dropped, got back up like he was f to run. The one I hit second, you know what I’m saying? He raised up like he was going to do something. So I shot him in the head, you know what I’m saying? Then the other one [ __ ] shot him twice in the head just to make sure. [ __ ] that.
You know what I’m saying? I don’t need that [ __ ] You know what I’m saying? Lay that [ __ ] down. Know what I’m saying? So me and my cousin ran in their pockets. You know what I’m saying? Got the keys, got their wallet and [ __ ] Hopped in the driver, hopped in the passenger side. We’re good.
Hours later, the cousins arrived at an apartment in Dallas where they began drinking and smoking. Later, they even bragged to family members about what they had done, showing Steven Swan’s driver’s license as if it were a trophy. That same night, after being reported by an acquaintance who had seen the news, police located them in the stolen vehicle in Tex Arcana, about 150 mi away, where they were finally arrested.
Matthew, a respected Christian music producer and owner of Zion Gate Record Studio in downtown Garland, worked alongside his best friend and partner, Steven, to provide a creative space for Christian artists. Steven, a resident of Carolton, was also a talented producer, engineer, and musician.
Both were described as bright, generous, and hard-working young men, deeply committed to their craft and to supporting other artists. The initial resolution of the case was surprisingly quick, largely due to James Broadnax’s own behavior. Shortly after his arrest at just 20 years old, he gave multiple television interviews in which with chilling coldness in front of the cameras, he admitted to being the shooter.
He also stated that he felt no remorse and even asked for the death penalty, saying he did not want to continue living and potentially harming others in prison. >> I decided to go hit a lick. You know what I’m saying? And one of the best spots to go cuz that’s where all the rich white folk stay at. You know what I’m saying? So caught caught a mother slip [ __ ] and pop this.
That’s what it is. >> Without as much as a blink, James Broadneck talks about how he took two lives. >> Blank out, you know what I’m saying? And shot him like stumbled back, shot the uh the driver. He hit the ground, you know what I’m saying? But he like leaned up like he was going to try to get back up. So I shot him in the head.
Then his homeboy, I shot his again. You know what I’m saying? But he was still trying to run off, but I knew he was going to die anyway. But just to make sure, pop pop shot his like, you know what I’m saying? Twice in the head or whatever. Me and my Kim folks ran their pockets, you know what I’m saying? He jumped in driver seat.
I jumped on passenger side and we dipped out. >> These statements led to his trial being moved forward and separated from his cousins, taking place in 2009. During the proceedings, the defense attempted to soften his statements, arguing that Broadax was under the influence of severe marijuana intoxication both at the time of the crime and during his jail house interviews.
However, the court rejected these arguments, concluding that his statements demonstrated he was a dangerous criminal who should be sentenced to death. On October 14th, 2009, the Dallas County jury found him guilty of capital murder for the deaths of Steven Swan and Matthew Butler. Unlike Broadax, Cummings was tried separately in 2011.
Although he was also found guilty of capital murder, the state chose not to seek the death penalty against him as he was not the shooter and did not display the same attitude in interviews. He was ultimately sentenced to life in prison and is currently held at the Cawfield unit in Tennessee Colony, Texas. James Broadnack spent nearly 17 years on Texas death row, specifically at the Palinsky unit in Livingston.
During that time, he turned to poetry and writing, as is often the case, he later showed signs of apparent remorse and transformation. He was recognized by both prison authorities and other inmates as a mentor to younger prisoners. Finally, in January 2026, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice scheduled his execution for April 30th of that same year.
A particularly striking event occurred on April 14th, 2026, just 16 days before his execution, when James married Tiana Kresniki, a British law graduate who became one of his main supporters. The ceremony took place at the Pollonsky unit with the couple separated by a glass panel. The most dramatic turn came in March 2026, just weeks before the scheduled execution.
Dearius Cummings, who was serving a life sentence for his involvement, submitted an affidavit admitting that he was the sole shooter. Cummings stated that he had convinced Broadax to initially take the blame because Broadax had no prior criminal history and they believed he would receive a lighter sentence.
A decision made while both were under the influence of drugs. know that he doing that he’s we was in this crime together but he’s on the other side of things that I should have been with him getting a death penalty that should have been me. So I feel like this is a outlet to get it out to whoever listen to whoever going to listen as far as who y’all dealing with to tell the story as it should be told that it was me.
You know that I was the killer and bro just stood in my place. However, Texas authorities did not change their position. The Court of Criminal Appeals refused to halt the execution, arguing that doubts about who fired the shots should have been raised years earlier and also pointing to the weight of Broadax’s televised confessions from 2008.
On April 30th, 2026, the execution was carried out following the strict protocol of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. James Broadnax was transferred from the Palansky unit in Livingston to the historic Huntsville unit. Outside the prison, the atmosphere was tense. Vigils and protests were organized across several Texas cities, reflecting the support of more than 80,000 online petition signers, as well as backing from over 60 religious leaders who had called for clemency.
Inside the prison, Broadax spent his final hours in contact with his spiritual advisers and his wife, Tiana. At 300 p.m., he was placed in complete isolation. The execution began shortly after 6:00 p.m. local time when he was escorted into the death chamber and strapped to the gurnie.
Two intravenous lines were inserted for the administration of a lethal dose of penttoarbital. At 6:26 p.m., the drug began to flow. According to reports, he appeared to gasp and convulse for around 5 minutes before losing consciousness and ultimately dying. When asked for his final words, he delivered a long statement addressed to the victim’s family and to his supporters.
To the family, I have prayed for years that any of my decisions have not caused heaviness in your hearts or burdens in your spirits. I have prayed to God for your forgiveness. Regardless of what you think of me, I hope that prayer has been answered. But no matter what you think of me, Texas got it wrong.
I am innocent. The facts of my case should speak for themselves. Period. Let this moment be what finally sparks the revolution that will be televised. None of this was worth it. Queen EMTT, I love you. My promise still stands. It always will. Keep fighting. Stay strong. Put God first. Never stop believing.
I love you forever and a day. I love you, Queen. Peace, love, and light. That is what I stand for. God bless you all. The term Queen Emit was identified as an affectionate reference to his wife, Tiana Kresniki, who witnessed the execution. Seven family members of the victims were present, including the parents of Steven Swan and Matthew Butler.
Terresa Butler, Matthew’s mother, maintained that the execution represented necessary justice, rejecting claims of innocence made by the defense. Broadnax’s wife, Tiana Kresniki, was the primary defense witness present. Reports described her reaction as deeply emotional. She pressed against the glass, repeatedly shouting, “I love you!” as her husband lost consciousness after the procedure ended.
She had to be assisted out of the viewing area by officials. What do you think about this case? Many people say that the recordings in which he admits to the crimes sound like they are from a 20-year-old trying to be framed due to the aggressive attitude he displays. Others say this is just an act to avoid his execution.
What do you think? Let me know in the comments. At this very moment, another criminal was also executed in Florida. Click on the image to see his execution.
