TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICEDeath Row Inmate Information
Name: Elroy Chester
TDCJ Number: 999280
Date of Birth: 6/14/1969
Date Received: 9/26/1998
Age (when Received): 29
Education Level (Highest Grade Completed): 12
Date of Offense: 2/6/1998
Age (at the time of Offense): 28
County: Jefferson
Race: Black
Gender: Male
Hair Color: Black
Height (in Feet and Inches): 5′ 10″
Weight (in Pounds): 160
Eye Color: Brown
Native County: Jefferson
Native State: Texas
Prior Occupation: Laborer
Prior Prison Record: 10 year sentence from Jefferson County for 1 count of Burglary of a Building; 13 year sentence from Jefferson County for 1 county of Burglary of a Habitation and 2 counts of Burglary of a Building (served 13 year sentence concurrent with 10 year sentence). Released on Parole to Jefferson County on 2/13/1990. Returned as a Parole Violator on 1/11/1994. Released on Mandatory Supervision to Jefferson County on 3/21/1997.
Summary of Incident: On February 6, 1998, in Port Arthur, Chester broke into the residence of Kim Ryman Deleon. Chester raped her 14 year old and 16 year old daughters. Willie Ryman III (uncle to the girls) entered the home and was shot and killed by Chester. Chester took jewelry from the home and fled the scene. While in police custody, Chester confessed to this crime, two other murders, and three attempts to commit capital murder. Chester stated that he committed these offenses because he was out his mind "with hate for white people" due to a disagreement with a white staff member over a disciplinary report during a previous TDCJ incarceration.
Co-Defendants: None
Race and Gender of Victim: White male
