A man from Texas who was convicted of murdering a pastor in Arlington has been executed. Steven Lawayne Nelson, 37, was put to death on Wednesday night after years of legal battles. Nelson was sentenced to death in 2012, a year after he was found guilty of brutally killing Clint Dobson, the pastor of NorthPointe Baptist Church. The crime took place in 2011, when Dobson was beaten and suffocated with a plastic bag.
Nelson’s execution took place at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice facility in Huntsville. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton commented that justice had been served, saying Nelson had been punished for his terrible crimes. Paxton expressed his sympathy for Dobson’s family and friends, as well as all the victims who suffered because of Nelson’s actions. Paxton emphasized that criminals who commit such awful crimes must face the consequences.
This was the first execution in Texas in 2025 and the second in the entire country. There are three other executions scheduled in Texas this year. The murder of Pastor Clint Dobson shocked many people, especially because it was so violent. Dobson was found in the church with blunt force trauma to his head and face, and he had been suffocated with a plastic bag. Another church worker, Judy Elliott, was badly injured but survived.
Nelson, in his final moments, made a statement that was a mix of strange affection and calm acceptance. He said, “I will always love you no matter, that our love is uncontrollable there is no definition and no feeling. I’m thankful and grateful. It is what it is. Always live for me and enjoy life. Give Monkey a hug for me. Know I am not scared, it’s cold s— in here. But I’m at peace, I’m ready to be at home. Let’s ride Warden.”
The attack happened after police received a call from a friend of one of the church employees who had arrived to find a locked door at the church. Nelson was arrested after a short standoff at an apartment complex not far from the church. Police believed robbery was the motive behind the crime. They found several stolen items, including property from both Dobson and Elliott.
Nelson later admitted that he and two friends planned to rob whoever they could find. Prosecutors asked for the death penalty, and the jury decided to sentence him to death instead of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Nelson’s lawyers tried to appeal, arguing that his trial was unfair because his defense team didn’t challenge the alibis of the other men involved or present enough evidence about Nelson’s tough childhood. However, the evidence against Nelson was strong. Investigators found his fingerprints at the scene, his broken belt, and his blood on the victim’s belongings. They also had video showing Nelson using Elliott’s car and credit cards after the attack. The other two men Nelson tried to blame for the crime had solid alibis, backed up by phone records and a sign-in sheet.
Even after years of appeals, Nelson’s request for a stay of execution was denied. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals turned down his final appeal on January 28. His lawyers had hoped the U.S. Supreme Court would step in and stop the execution, but they didn’t get the delay they asked for. While in jail awaiting trial, Nelson was also indicted for killing another inmate, but he was never tried for that crime.
The execution of Steven Nelson marked the end of a long and tragic story that began with the violent death of Pastor Clint Dobson.
