A Texas man convicted of murdering his three young children after claiming they were possessed by evil spirits is scheduled to be executed by lethal injection on Thursday, November 12, more than 23 years after the killings.
John Allen Rubio, 45, was sentenced to death for the March 2003 murders of Julissa Quesada, three; John Esteban Rubio, 14 months; and Mary Jane Rubio, two months.
Rubio told police after the killings that he believed his children were possessed and would rather see them dead than allow them to remain under the influence of evil spirits.
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“I know I did something bad but I rather my children be dead than be possessed,” he reportedly told authorities.
Court documents showed that Rubio and his girlfriend, Angela Camacho, had been living on the streets while she was pregnant with their youngest child. Child Protection Services had earlier removed Julissa and John from their care and placed them with Camacho’s mother.
The couple later moved into an apartment without running water or electricity. Rubio reportedly suggested killing Julissa and John, but Camacho initially dismissed the idea, believing he was joking.
In March 2003, Rubio stabbed and beheaded Julissa and Mary Jane with Camacho’s assistance. He later insisted that their 14-month-old brother, John, must also be killed.
The children's bodies were discovered by Rubio’s brother, who visited the apartment and alerted the police. Rubio subsequently surrendered to authorities.
Although Mary Jane was his only biological child, court filings said Rubio had raised all three children as his own.
The case also involved allegations that Rubio forced Camacho to have sex with him after the murders.
Rubio and Camacho were initially convicted in 2003, but a Texas court overturned the ruling in 2007, leading to a retrial in 2010. Rubio was again found guilty of capital murder and sentenced to death.
His latest appeal seeking to halt the execution was rejected in October 2026, clearing the way for the scheduled lethal injection at the Huntsville Unit of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
Camacho is serving three consecutive life sentences for her role in the murders.
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