A death row inmate from Huntsville, Texas, who challenged the state’s prison rules in order to have his pastor touch him and pray aloud for him during his execution, was executed on Wednesday. John Henry Ramirez, 38, was executed on October 5 via lethal injection for the 2004 murder of Pablo Castro, AP News reported.

The Supreme Court ruled in March to honor Ramirez’s wish to have his pastor put a hand on him and pray during his execution. Chief Justice John Roberts shared at the time that Ramirez’s wish could be granted without delaying the execution, according to AP News. 

In an 8-1 opinion, Roberts said, “[I]t is possible to accommodate Ramirez’s sincere religious beliefs without delaying or impeding his execution.”

It was argued an inmate being touched could interfere with the injection being carried through the veins, but Roberts spoke against those concerns. He said inmates could be touched “on a part of the body away from IV lines, such as a prisoner’s lower leg.”

In a strange twist to the story, following the Supreme Court decision, in April, a district attorney had attempted to stop Ramirez’s execution. Claiming the execution had been requested by mistake, Nueces County District Attorney Mark Gonzalez asked a judge to withdraw the death warrant and delay the execution. Gonzalez considers the death penalty to be “unethical.”

Prosecutors stated that Ramirez had stolen $1.25 from Castro, 46, before stabbing him 29 times. Ramirez fled to Mexico before being arrested three and a half years later. 

Ramirez was joined by his spiritual advisor Dana Moore in the execution chamber. Moore had his right hand on Ramirez’s chest during the execution and provided a short prayer. “Look upon John with your grace. Grant him peace. Grant all of us peace,” Moore prayed. 

Five of Castro’s relatives, including four of his children, were present to watch through the window. Ramirez addressed Castro’s relatives following the prayer from Moore. 

“I have regret and remorse. This is such a heinous act. I hope this finds you comfort. If this helps you, then I am glad. I hope in some shape or form this helps you find closure,” he said. 

Ramirez also expressed love for those in his life, his son, wife, and friends. 

He ended by saying, “Just know that I fought a good fight, and I am ready to go.”

Seth Kretzer, Ramirez’s attorney, told AP News that the inmate had exhausted any possible appeals. He added that Ramirez’s case had to do with religious freedoms for all, citing that even Nazi war criminals would be provided ministers before being executed. 

“That was not a reflection on some favor we were doing for the Nazis,” Kretzer told AP News. “Providing religious administration at the time of death is a reflection of the relative moral strength of the captors.”

Mark Skurka, the lead prosecutor from Ramirez’s 2008 trial, felt it was unfair that the inmate was allowed to have someone praying over him. 

He told AP News, “It has been a long time coming, but Pablo Castro will probably finally get the justice that his family has sought for so long, despite the legal delays.”

Ramirez was the third Texas inmate executed this year, and the 11th executed in all of the United States. There are two more death row executions set for Texas for this year, both scheduled for November.