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Orderly Meds Host
This is an iHeart podcast.
TJ Holmes
Guaranteed Human success starts with your drive, and American Public University is here to fuel it.
Amy Robach
With affordable tuition and over 200 flexible online programs, APU helps you gain the skills and confidence to move forward.
TJ Holmes
Whether you're changing careers, starting fresh, or pursuing a lifelong passion, APU's programs are designed for people who never stop.
Amy Robach
You bring the fire. APU will fuel the journey. Learn more at apu Apus. Edu.
Ryan Seacrest
It's Ryan Seacrest For Albertsons and Safeway, it is Stock up Savings time now through March 31st spring in for storewide deals and earn four times the points. Look for in store tax to earn on eligible items from Smart Water, Healthy Choice, Continental, arrowhead, Red Bull, St James, Tillamook, and Special K. Then clip the offer in the app for automatic event long savings. Stack up those rewards to save even more. Enjoy savings on top of savings when you shop in store or online for easy drive up and go, pick up or delivery restrictions apply. See website for full terms and conditions.
Orderly Meds Host
Lost support through telehealth, but it feels overwhelming and rushed. Check out orderlymeds.com now. Orderlymeds.com was built to be different. Here you connect with real doctors who take the time to understand your goals, review your eligibility, and guide you through a plan that's right for you. Orderly Meds provides access to proven GLP1 Medicare medications like semaglutide and Tirzepatide, including both name brand options and personalized compound versions when appropriate. So you have choices backed by clinical oversight, not guesswork. It's a simpler, more supportive telehealth experience designed around people who want clarity, care and confidence in their weight loss journey. And your medication is delivered directly to your home in discreet packaging so your experience stays private from start to finish. Do your research, ask the right questions, then visit orderlymeds.com podcast for an exclusive offer. Again, that's orderlymeds.com podcast. Individual results may vary. Not medical advice. Eligibility required. See CITE for details.
Amy Robach
You're listening to a podcast, so you're doing something else too. Like maybe scrolling home listings on Redfin, saving places you like without thinking you'll get them. Because that's what house hunting has become. But Redfin isn't built for endless browsing. It's built to help you find and own a home. Redfin agents close twice as many deals as other agents, which means when you find a place you love, you've got a real shot at getting it. Redfin helps turn saved listings into real addresses. Get started@redfin.com, own the dream.
Bowen Yang
This is Bowen Yang from Lost Culture Research with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang. We all know the feeling when life gets really busy. Taking care of yourself can feel impossible. That's why Premier Protein shakes are my go to. They have 30 grams of protein, 160 calories, no added sugar and they taste amazing. So they're a healthy choice you'll actually want to make. It's not just for fitness, it's for getting afterlife. Premier Protein powers me to say yes to more. Find your favorite flavor@premierprotein.com that's P R E M I E R protein.com
Amy Robach
welcome everyone to this episode of Amy and TJ. We are used to sometimes getting a final sentence if you find final words from inmates as they are about to be executed. But yesterday we got apologies, apologies, apologies. Paragraphs truly of one inmate's final words. 51 year old Cedric Ricks, who was pronounced dead last night just before 7pm Wanted to make his amends before he died by lethal injection without everyone. Welcome to this episode. It is Thursday, March 12th and we have covered a lot of executions, babe, over this past year because there just frankly have been so many. Each one is unique and each one I feel like there is a takeaway, but this one was especially compelling.
TJ Holmes
This is one we wanted to skip over to be honest with you all. We cover a lot of these and some of them have intriguing stories that come up about the person, condemned person's guilt or innocence. There are questions even if it's not about the guilt or innocence. Sometimes robes, the question is just about if they got a fair trial or their mental capacity or should you be executing someone this old or this sick. There's usually some kind of humanitarian effort that is a tie to these executions that sometimes make for compelling stories behind the scenes. This is not one where people were rallying support around him because of hey, he needs a break or hey, he was coerced or hey, it was something. No, no, this was a heinous, heinous, horrible crime to the point we were almost gonna just bypass this. And like this is a tough one. We'll just say there was an execution and move on. But turns out this is now one of the more compelling moments we have seen in the past year of covering what was an extraordinary year of executions
Amy Robach
in the U.S. yeah, it you never know what to expect. I think that is the lesson too. You think you understand the way something's gonna go or how someone's gonna react and then they surprise you. And that is exactly what happened last night? Yes, 51 year old Cedric Ricks, he was executed yesterday for the May 2013 killings. And I say killings, but brutal stabbings of his girlfriend and her 8 year old son. We're talking about 30 year old Roxanne Sanchez and 8 year old Anthony and Roxanne's other son. And this is of note, he was 12 years old at the time. His name is Marcus. He survived. He was also stabbed. He was stabbed, this is unthinkable, 25 times in the back of his head. And he survived by playing dead. And, and him surviving helped put Cedric Ricks behind bars.
TJ Holmes
And that young man, that boy was in the room last night as a grown man now, but he was there to watch this man be executed. And he was there and he received, don't know if he expected it or not, but he received a direct message from Cedric Ricks last night. Look, this was, this is extraordinary. There are two things that if you have no idea of what the crime was about or the execution or the legal wranglings that got to this point. Most people rove, they hear an execution, they ask usually two things, maybe three. They might ask how was the person executed? But they'll ask what was the last meal and what were their last words?
Amy Robach
Yeah, and a lot of times, well, we, we usually can. Well, we can always tell you why they're being executed. Sometimes we know their last meals and most of the time, I would say at least the ones we've covered the. There usually aren't last words. Final words are actually fairly rare. I don't know what the percentage is
TJ Holmes
even when they have them. I don't the percentage percentage would even be lower of how many times that person uses their last words to actually apologize, make amends, ask for forgiveness. That's even a lower percentage. This was, he had something on his heart, his mind, and this was his last chance to say it and he took it.
Amy Robach
It's so true. Because the truth is, most people who are executed that we can recall, and certainly I think this is anecdotal, I don't have the numbers on it. But not only are they not apologizing for what they've been convicted of and what they're about to be executed for, a lot of the times they're denying it, they're denying the crime, they go to their death saying wasn't me. So to have the ownership of the crime is one thing, but then to apologize for it is a whole other level. And this apology, I've never seen one quite like this. He directly aimed it at that now 25 year old young man who he thought he had killed that evening.
TJ Holmes
I mean, good on him for doing so. I mean, we haven't heard the reaction yet from the young man. But we have heard from families prior and other executions who do get messages from that condemned person right before they die. And we have heard some of those families report that those were very important words for them to hear.
Amy Robach
Yes. And we're going to give you what Rick's final words were. But I wanted to, just for those of you who don't know the crime and just to understand where Marcus, this 25 year old now sitting watching his mother's former boyfriend about to die, what he lived through, because what he was convicted of is horrific. So we know that Cedric Ricks, and he's admitted to this now began fighting with his girlfriend. He had a history of domestic violence and he had a history of problems not only with his girlfriends, but with their children. So they started fighting. And the boys who were 8 and 12, jumped in to try and save their mom, to try and stop Cedric from. He was punching her. That's when he went into the kitchen, got a knife and began to stab Roxanne and Anthony. And Marcus was able to run to a bedroom closet, but he went to go find him to finish the job. And Marcus even testified in court, I cannot even imagine this, saying that he heard the sounds that his eight year old brother made and he imitated them to basically pretend like he was dying and that he died and that then and only then did Cedric let up. He actually took a shower. There was a nine month old son in the, in the home as well. He put him in the crib and then took off to Oklahoma where police later arrested him. But that's the crime we're talking about.
TJ Holmes
And that's why we were saying this is one that we were frankly we were willing to let go. We will, we will pass over this one. Yes, there are still death penalty opponents who are out there saying no execution should take place. But there was no sympathy necessarily for this man or this crime when you hear about it. So really we said, okay, well we will let this one pass and there will be plenty more. But then turns out robes, this one turned out to be incredibly compelling. Even hearing that horror, there is still humanity at the end. It's amazing that that's even possible.
Amy Robach
Just hearing you say that gave me chills. So here are the final words that Marcus and six other family members of Roxanne heard last night right before Cedric Ricks was pronounced dead. He said, I want to say that I'm sorry for taking Roxanne and Anthony from y'. All. I'm glad to be able to speak, to tell y' all that face to face. And to Marcus, I always thought about you, and I am sorry that I took your mom and your brother away. I hate that you had to experience that. I just can't imagine. But I'm truly sorry for what I did, what I've done. And I wish y' all peace and joy as much as you can. But I'm sorry, I. That's all I can say. I hope y' all go in peace. I really do. I'm sorry.
TJ Holmes
It's the best you could ever hope for. At the end, you could. What more could you get? Maybe the family looks at this and wants him to die and consider that finality. I can't imagine those words doing. I don't know. I can't speak for that family. Like, would they prefer not to have heard that?
Amy Robach
I doubt it.
Ryan Seacrest
Harm.
TJ Holmes
Did it do harm in some way. And I don't know how it came across in the room and how he said it, but at least reading them on paper come off a certain way. Robes and that's sincere, you know?
Amy Robach
And the. We. We talked about this. There was an AP reporter who was in that execution chamber, and he was giving these details. He's the one who told us what these final words were. But he also mentioned that Rick's voice was cracking when he spoke these words and that there were tears in his eyes.
TJ Holmes
I mean, what was it? Can you have grace and decency for someone who murdered a child by stabbing them and murdered that child's mother and attempted to murder a second child? Can you have any grace in your heart? I don't know. You could mourn and you could have grace robes for a human life, not for the act. But, I mean, this is just. Death is awful. It is to plan it. And these ceremonies we go through are awful, but we always take something out of it. And, man, I would. I hope it brought something to the family.
Amy Robach
I hope it did, too. I was thinking about the fact. Look, the family didn't speak, and that's why we don't know their reaction. They chose not to speak to reporters. I can understand not really being in a good headspace or in a good emotional space to actually react to it in front of cameras with microphones after all this family has been through. But I would imagine that hearing that from him was better than hearing nothing at least it's it wasn't as if he was saying it to get out of being executed, or to get off easier or to get a lighter sentence. He had no motivation other than trying to give that family peace, maybe trying to get into heaven instead of hell. If he's a believer, I believe he is a believer. Actually, we'll get into that in just a moment. But I also think it says something about given enough time, certain people might be able to reflect in a way about their actions where they can say they're sorry. If enough time hadn't passed, maybe he wouldn't have been able to do so, but at least he was able to give them that at the end. When we come back, we're going to talk about Cedric Ricks because he actually had more to say before he died to his living sons who are still here. They were not there last night, but we're going to read some of what he had to say to them and certainly talk about what the rest of this year was going to look like. After a record setting year of executions in 2025, It's a new year and time to get back to feeling like yourself. If losing weight is one of your 2026 goals and you're ready to make progress, you can count on Weight loss by hers might be the right fit for you with hers. Reaching your weight loss goals doesn't have to mean completely changing your life. If prescribed, your plan is personalized with options like oral medication kits or GLP1 injectables. Feel like your best self again. Visit forhers.com amy to get a personalized affordable plan that gets you. That's F o r h e-r s.com amy for hers.com amy Weight loss by hers is not available everywhere. Compounded drug products are not approved or evaluated for safety, effectiveness or quality by the fda. Prescription required. See website for full full details, important safety information and restrictions. Actual price depends on product and plan purchased.
TJ Holmes
Success starts with your drive and American Public University is here to fuel it.
Amy Robach
With affordable tuition and over 200 flexible online programs, APU helps you gain the skills and confidence to move forward whether
TJ Holmes
you're changing careers, starting fresh or pursuing a lifelong passion. APU's programs are designed for people who
Amy Robach
never stop you bring the fire. APU will fuel the journey. Learn more at apu Apus Edu.
Ryan Seacrest
Hey, it's Ryan Seacrest for Albertsons and Safeway. It is Stock up savings time now through March 31st. Spring in for store wide deals and earn four times the points. Look for in store tags to earn on eligible items from Goldfish, Keebler, Doritos, All M M's, Drumstick, Outshine and Kellogg's. Then clip the offer in the app for automatic event long savings. Stack up those rewards to save even more, enjoy savings on top of savings when you shop in store or online for easy drive up and go pickup or delivery restrictions apply. See website for full terms and conditions.
Orderly Meds Host
Less support through Telehealth, but it feels overwhelming and rushed. Check out orderlymeds.com now. Orderlymeds.com was built to be different. Here you connect with real doctors who take the time to understand your goals, review your eligibility and guide you through a plan that's right for you. Orderly Meds provides access to proven GLP1 medications like semaglutide and Tirzepatide, including both name brand options and personalized compound versions when appropriate. So you have choices backed by clinical oversight, not guesswork. It's a simpler, more supportive telehealth experience designed around people who want clarity, care and confidence in their weight loss journey. And your medication is delivered directly to your home in discreet packaging so your experience stays private. From scratch, start to finish. Do your research, ask the right questions, then visit orderlymeds.com podcast for an exclusive offer. Again, that's orderlymeds.com podcast. Individual results may vary. Not medical advice. Eligibility required. See Cite for details.
Bowen Yang
This is Bowen Yang from Lost Culture Research with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang. We all know the feeling when life gets really busy. Taking care of yourself can feel impossible. That's why Premier Protein shakes are my go to. They have 30 grams of protein, 160 calories, no added sugar, and they taste amazing. So they're a healthy choice you'll actually want to make. It's not just for fitness. It's for getting after life. The 30 grams of protein gives you the fuel you need. It's not just for intense gym sessions. It's just for life. With the wide variety of flavors from cafe latte to cake batter, it never feels boring. It's a flavor for everyone. I personally love the peaches and cream, but maybe you're a root beer floater cinnamon roll kind of person. Premier Protein powers me to say yes. More Find your favorite flavor@premierprotein.com that's P R E M I E R protein.com or at Amazon, Walmart and other major retailers.
Amy Robach
Welcome back everyone, to this episode of Amy and tj. We are talking about the incredibly unexpected but profound moments we saw last night in Texas just before 51 year old Cedric Ricks was given a lethal cocktail, a lethal injection where he was pronounced dead about 30 minutes after the process began. But he gave a very long apology to his victims, family members who were there watching his execution for a horrific murder, two murders actually. The brutal stabbing deaths of 30 year old Roxanne Sanchez and her 8 year old son Anthony. Her other son, who is now 25 years old, who was also attacked by Cedric, was in that room that night and heard that apology, some of which was directly aimed at him. But before he actually stepped into that death chamber, he wrote some letters to his sons from death row and they were released. And he has a son from a previous marriage. And then that little nine month old baby that we talked about before the break, Isaiah was his name and that certainly would be the half brother to Marcus who was there in the room last night. This is what he had to say to those sons. Sometimes I wake up kicking and screaming for what I have done to you. I can't say sorry enough for what I've done. My prayer is that you can forgive me. My prayer is that you both will carry on the legacy of who I have become in Christ and, And not who I used to be. You talked about grace. He's asking for it.
TJ Holmes
It's tough. Who gives it, Who's. Who has the right to give it? Who is right? We're not. Well, I guess we. I was about to say we. We're not his judge, but actually we are as a society. And that's why he's dead right now, quite frankly. Yeah, but I. I don't know what you do with people sometimes. Right. Who commit the worst of acts. I guess we've been around and been exposed to people and things like this more than most and been up close and personal. But we've also witnessed some of the worst in people and we've seen the best. But we also seen transitions. We've seen people change. I just. I just love the idea. Robes. Yes, he's dead now. But I love the idea for us continuing to find value in human beings even after they have taken life or not contributed even to the rest of society by their actions. But we find a way to recognize how they still can contribute to a loved one, to a niece they're still nursing or being a parent to while they're in jail, to speaking to other prisoners. There's value still in somebody's life and I don't know, it seems weird. Sympathy. It's not sympathy for a murderer. This is justice. Being a human being and Being decent and, I don't know, finding moments of grace everywhere.
Amy Robach
I think it's such an important way to look at it because yes, sometimes the contribution that some of these inmates can make is a cautionary tale to either other family members or other folks who are headed down that same path and help them turn their lives around, go in a different direction. You don't want to end up like me. And I also was, when I was reading the. Not only what he said to the family last night before he was executed, but what he asked of his sons, and I pray that you can forgive me, that wasn't something he was asking for himself so he could feel less guilty. I started recognizing for what it was he was asking that for them. Because if the family of Roxanne, if his own sons can forgive him, it takes that burden of hatred off of them. When you forgive someone, you release something. You release some of the pain, you release some of the anger. You actually can invite peace in once you forgive. And so I started thinking about it differently. When people say, can you forgive me? We think, oh, that's a selfish thing. You just want to get rid of your guilt. But actually it's a gift to the other person if they can truly forgive the worst possible thing that is. That means, that means a life of potential peace following it.
TJ Holmes
So. And yes, there'll be plenty of people right now, robes are just rolling our eyes. He's a monster, deserves to die. That's the end of story. And then you're okay to feel that way, we understand. But there is, it's. It's okay to feel the other way and it's okay to. For us all to sit in the same room with a different opinion about this. And yeah, I'm curious. I like hearing other people's perspective when they are angry and when they're like, yeah, he should die. I'm listening because I just. Something this ugly, there is some hint of beauty in the end when it just comes to human beings, human nature, apologies, grace, forgiveness and moving on.
Amy Robach
Yeah, it's kind of what life is all about, isn't it? And Rick's was already the second inmate put to death in Texas this year. He was the sixth in the country. We're at March 12th right now. The next execution is in the state that has become by far the leading state in executions. At least it was last year. Record setting Florida in five days. Michael King is set to be executed in that state. And we will continue to following following the growing number of scheduled executions. They happen month by month. We don't know the total number yet. That will still be to be determined. But certainly we are seeing governors and specifically the state of Florida.
TJ Holmes
DeSantos is running outta ink. He is signing death warrants left and right. They weren't close last year, by the way. They didn't just set a record in the state. And number one, they were way 19 versus who who had the most after that? Five.
Amy Robach
Five, I believe. Texas and South Carolina maybe.
TJ Holmes
And so we got two more this month in the country. Both of those are in Florida within two weeks of each other. What, the 17th and the 31st, I believe. Right. So yes, Florida's. We started the year with only, I think somewhere around 17, 18 on the books planned and already more have been signed. That number will go up in the country.
Amy Robach
It certainly will. And look, we will, we will continue to follow some of these stories that actually make an impression or at least have some lessons in them. I think it's something that we can all look at. This is our criminal justice system and certainly so many of us have been touching by it in different ways. So we always appreciate you listening to us. I'm Amy Robach alongside TJ Holmes and we will talk to you soon.
TJ Holmes
Success starts with your drive, and American Public University is here to fuel it.
Amy Robach
With affordable tuition and over 200 flexible online programs, APU helps you gain the skills and confidence to move forward.
TJ Holmes
Whether you're changing careers, starting fresh or pursuing a lifelong passion, APU's programs are designed for people who never stop.
Amy Robach
You bring the fire. APU will fuel the journey. Learn more at apu. Apus Edu.
TJ Holmes
This is Julian Edelman from Games With Names. I want to take a second to talk about something that's personal to me. I've had the privilege of working closely with Robert Kraft for a long time, and one thing I've always respected is how seriously he takes up standing up to hate. As a Jewish athlete, my identity is something I am proud of. But I also know what it feels like to be singled out for it. That's why this new commercial for the Blue Square Alliance Against Hate that aired during the big game really hit home. It's about showing up for someone when they're targeted, even if you don't have the perfect words. And sometimes standing next to someone is enough. And you can show support by sharing the Blue Square.
Ryan Seacrest
Hey, it's Ryan Seacrest for Albertsons and Safeway. It is stock up savings time now through March 31st. Spring in for storewide deals and earn four times the points. Look for in store tax to earn on eligible items from Smart Water, Healthy Choice, Continental, arrowhead, Red Bull, St James, Tillamook and Special K. Then clip the offer in the app for automatic event long savings. Stack up those rewards to save even more, enjoy savings on top of savings when you shop in store or online for easy drive up and go pickup or delivery restrictions apply. See website for full terms and cond conditions.
Orderly Meds Host
Are you trying to get weight loss support through telehealth? But it feels overwhelming and rushed? Check out orderlymeds.com now. Orderlymeds.com was built to be different. Here you connect with real doctors who take the time to understand your goals, review your eligibility and guide you through a plan that's right for you. Orderly Meds provides access to proven GLP1 medications like semaglutide and Tirzepatide, including both name brand options and personalized compound versions when appropriate. So you have choices backed by clinical oversight, not guesswork. It's a simpler, more supportive telehealth experience designed around people who want clarity, care and confidence in their weight loss journey. And your medication is delivered directly to your home in discreet packaging so your experience stays private from start to finish. Do your research, ask the right questions, then visit orderlymeds.com podcast for an exclusive offer. Again, that's orderlymeds.com podcast. Individual results may vary. Not medical advice eligibility required site for details.
Bowen Yang
This is Bowen Yang from Lost Culture Research with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang. We all know the feeling when life gets really busy. Taking care of yourself can feel impossible. That's why Premier Protein shakes are my go to. They have 30 grams of protein, 160 calories, no added sugar, and they taste amazing. So they're a healthy choice you'll actually want to make. It's not just for fitness, it's for getting after life. The 30 grams of protein gives you the fuel you need. It's not just for intense GY sessions, it's just for life. With the wide variety of flavors from cafe latte to cake batter, it never feels boring. It's a flavor for everyone. I personally love the peaches and cream, but maybe you're a root beer floater cinnamon roll kind of person. Premier Protein powers me to say yes to more Find your favorite flavor@premierprotein.com that's P R E M I E R protein.com or at Amazon, Walmart and other major retailers.
Amy Robach
This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.
Episode: The Compelling, Unexpected Moment Inside A Texas Execution Chamber
Date: March 12, 2026
Hosts: Amy Robach & T.J. Holmes
Network: iHeartPodcasts
In this powerful and emotionally charged episode, Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes explore the extraordinary final moments inside a Texas execution chamber, focusing on the unexpected, heartfelt apology issued by Cedric Ricks, a man convicted of a brutal double homicide. Drawing from years of observing and reporting on executions, the hosts reflect on the nuances of remorse, the impact of final words, and the possibility of grace at the very end of a condemned life. The episode is distinguished by its candid unpacking of crime, punishment, forgiveness, and the raw emotions surrounding the death penalty in America.
"I want to say that I'm sorry for taking Roxanne and Anthony from y'all. I'm glad to be able to speak, to tell y'all that face to face. And to Marcus, I always thought about you, and I am sorry that I took your mom and your brother away. I hate that you had to experience that. I just can't imagine. But I'm truly sorry for what I did, what I've done. And I wish y'all peace and joy as much as you can. But I'm sorry, I. That's all I can say. I hope y'all go in peace. I really do. I'm sorry." (10:31-11:22)
"Sometimes I wake up kicking and screaming for what I have done to you. I can't say sorry enough for what I've done. My prayer is that you can forgive me. My prayer is that you both will carry on the legacy of who I have become in Christ and not who I used to be." (19:27)
“Turns out this is now one of the more compelling moments we have seen in the past year of covering what was an extraordinary year of executions.”
– TJ Holmes (04:16)
“To have the ownership of the crime is one thing, but then to apologize for it is a whole other level.”
– Amy Robach (07:30)
“There is some hint of beauty in the end when it just comes to human beings, human nature, apologies, grace, forgiveness and moving on.”
– TJ Holmes (23:12)
“I started recognizing for what it was he was asking that for them. Because if the family of Roxanne, if his own sons can forgive him, it takes that burden of hatred off of them. When you forgive someone, you release something... you actually can invite peace in once you forgive.”
– Amy Robach (21:24)
Throughout the episode, Amy and TJ maintain a tone that is equal parts journalistic, empathetic, and contemplative. Their candid reflections, openness to moral ambiguity, and willingness to explore the emotional depth of all involved make the discussion deeply human. They avoid sensationalism, instead opting to focus on grace, complexity, and the enduring struggle for meaning in the darkest of circumstances.
This episode stands out for its willingness to find humanity not only in the victims and survivors but also in a condemned man’s final moments. The extraordinary apology from Cedric Ricks, the emotional responses of those present, and the hosts’ thoughtful exploration of grace and forgiveness challenge listeners to see the shades of complexity within the criminal justice system. For anyone interested in the intersection of crime, punishment, and the possibility of redemption, this episode is not to be missed.