One of Dallas County's most notorious death penalty cases ended

One of Dallas County's most notorious death penalty cases ended quietly Wednesday after more than 2 decades when Thomas Joe Miller-El pleaded guilty to capital murder and aggravated robbery in a deal that spares his life but virtually assures that he will die in prison. Thomas Joe Miller-El's conviction was overturned. State District Judge John Creuzot sentenced Mr. Miller-El, 56, to life in prison on the capital murder charge and 20 years on the aggravated robbery charge with the sentences to be served consecutively. Mr. Miller-El waived his right to appeal in exchange for prosecutors agreeing not to seek the death penalty. The Supreme Court overturned Mr. Miller-El's conviction in 2005. By pleading guilty, Mr. Miller-El admitted to the 1985 murder of Douglas Walker, a 25-year-old hotel clerk who was shot in the back after being bound and gagged during a robbery. Another clerk, Donald Ray Hall, was shot and permanently paralyzed from the chest down. He later identified Mr. Miller-El as his assailant.