20 March 2026 :
March 17, 2026 - Texas. Demond Bluntson’s death sentence turned to life without parole
A man convicted of capital murder in the deaths of 2 young children had his death sentence overturned on March 17.
Demond Depree Bluntson was sentenced to death in 2016 (see HoC May 05, 2016) for the 2012 shooting deaths of 1 1/2-year-old Devian Bluntson and 6-year-old Jayden Thompson.
In 2025, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals confirmed his guilty conviction but reversed his death sentences and ordered a new punishment trial.
The state decided not to seek the death penalty, opting instead to waive it in favor of life without parole. The district attorney spoke with the victims’ family before any final decision was made. Today Judge Joe Lopez sentenced Bluntson to life without parole.
Bluntson represented himself with co-counsel. During the hearing, he asked whether he would receive the death penalty and requested that the judge move immediately to the punishment phase. Bluntson said he did not kill his children.
He also expressed frustration that Judge Lopez was not addressing him directly, citing his self-representation. Bluntson said it did not make sense for the judge to address his co-counsel. Bluntson asked to read a statement in court. Judge Lopez denied the request. Bluntson said he had made a statement on social media, though it was unclear what he meant by it during the outburst. Judge Lopez read Bluntson’s conviction aloud, stating he was found guilty of capital murder for the killing of 2 children. As the judge spoke, Bluntson interrupted the proceedings, holding a manila folder.
No family members of the victims were present during the hearing.
