Old On The Row: Every Texas Death Row Inmate 70 And Over

According to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDJC), the average stay on Texas Death Row is 11.22 years before execution.

However, there are many examples of people who were executed in a much shorter time frame, you can read about them here. And, of course, people who have had extended stays on the row, which you can read about here.

But what about people who have become elderly on the row—or who came to the row so late in life that they've found themselves "retiring" there? You'd be surprised just how advanced in age some of these men are, with a handful reaching 70 or older.

The oldest woman on Texas death row is Linda Carty, who will be 67 this year, so no female made our list of 70+. There are only six of women on Texas Death Row*, you can read about Carty and the others here.

* Brittany Holburg's death row sentence is currently under review. If it is upheld there will be seven women on the row. 

According to Cato.org, the cost of death row inmates is quite steep compared to other inmates, "approximately $1.12 million (2015 USD) more than a general population inmate."

However, most of those costs are related to the legal processes involved- the death penalty triggers an automatic appeal in Texas in an effort to ensure it is as fair as possible.

Other appeals can be submitted for a number of other reasons, thus extending the costs, and the stay, of a death row inmate.

Here is a look at the crimes of the men who managed to get elderly on the row- from truly heinous slayings, robbery-related murders and even one potential serial killer.