This undated photo shows Ken Yamamoto, far right, during his last Christmas.
Facts of the Crime: Convicted and sentenced to death in the January 8, 1995 murder of Ken Yamamoto.
22-year-old Ken Yamamoto lived in an Oklahoma City apartment directly above that of Short's former girlfriend, Brenda Gardner, and her sister Tammy. After a fire started in Tammy's apartment, Brenda, Tammy, and the children escaped. Robert Hines, the father of one of Tammy's children, was also present and escaped with serious injuries. The fire spread quickly causing Yamamoto's apartment to collapse. Yamamoto, who had been sleeping, suffered burns to ninety-five percent of his body. He was conscious when taken to the hospital, but he died several hours later. The fire was started by a gasoline bomb. Brenda and several friends testified that Short had threatened to "burn Brenda and her family up." A search of Short's hotel room revelead a journal where he had stated that he had lost Brenda and "I need her to go on in my life. She is all I got." Gasoline was found on Short's clothing.
Victim: Ken Yamamoto
Time of Death: 6:08 pm
Manner of Execution: Lethal Injection
Last Meal: Ten pieces of fried chicken
Final Words: "I have nothing to say."
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