Why death row inmate was refused final meal before being executed in front of wife who held up dog to watch

A convicted killer who was put to death yesterday was not entitled to pick a final meal, but it turns out there's a very good reason why.

Steven Lawayne Nelson, 37, died via lethal injection in Huntsville, Texas, on Wednesday (5 February).

He spent 13 years behind bars for the murder of Reverend Clint Dobson, 28, during a robbery gone wrong at the NorthPointe Baptist Church in 2011.

The pastor's secretary, Judy Elliot, was also attacked during the incident, but survived.

Nelson - who has always maintained his innocence - was pronounced dead at 6.50pm local time, as his wife Helene Noa Dubois watched on.

She brought along their white dog into the witness area, where Nelson was heard saying: "Give Monkey a hug for me."

Steven Lawayne Nelson claimed he was innocent (CECILE CLOCHERET/AFP via Getty Images)

Why was Nelson denied a final 'death row' meal?

In September 2011, Texas changed the final 'death row' meal law after a senator complained about a prisoner's large and expensive request.

Lawrence Russell Brewer ordered many dishes, including fried okra, barbecued meats, pizza and ice cream, but did not eat any of it.

Since the law was changed, it is thought that Texas prison officials have been serving up the same food to all of the inmates.

Nelson's execution 'took forever' to happen

Rev. Jeff Hood - Nelson's so-called 'spiritual adviser' - was in the death chamber when he passed.

But the whole process took some time after he was pronounced dead 24 minutes from when the drug took effect, according to AP.

"It took them forever to declare that he had passed," Hood told USA TODAY.

"He fought to the very end."

Nelson was executed in front of his wife Helene Noa Dubois and dog (Instagram/@justice_for_steven_nelson)

Nelson's final words

Hood claimed that Nelson's final words were 'professing how much he loves' his wife.

"I will always love you no matter... our love is uncontrollable," Nelson told her, according to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. "I’m at peace, I’m ready to be at home. Let’s ride, Warden."

Dubois and Nelson married in 2024, having met through an inmate letter-writing program in 2020.

In a statement following the execution, members of the Dobson family said."As a family, we have chosen to take this day to focus on the great memories we have of Clint rather than giving time to his killer.

"Steven Nelson forever changed our lives, but he has never occupied our minds."