Victim's Parents Find Justice In Schwab Execution

STARKE, Fla. -- The man who was convicted of raping and killing a Brevard County boy was executed at the Florida State Prison on Tuesday.

Mark Schwab's body was taken from the prison in Starke in an unmarked hearse. His victim was Junny Rios Martinez, 11, who had a passion for baseball and was tied up and strangled. His body was stuffed in a footlocker.

"I'm sure that the victim did not die as peaceful as he did today. The torture, the last few minutes of his life, were nothing like this," father Junny Rios Martinez said.

Schwab, who was described as an emotionless killer, remained expressionless to the last. When the warden asked Schwab if he had a final statement, Schwab ignored the question.

But WESH 2 News reporter Dan Billow watched the execution and said his rapidly blinking eyes appeared to be blinking back tears. Schwab then closed his eyes and never moved again.

"You have no idea how hard it was for me not to get up and pound on that glass just to make sure that he knew we were there," Rios Martinez said.

Junny and Vicki Rios Martinez sat about 6 feet from Schwab during the execution. The father had vowed that his face would be the last one Schwab ever saw.

The mother had spent 17 years praying that she would someday be able to find peace and joy again.

"His realm of evil has come to an end. The universe has brought about balance, justice and the law of consequence. I have closure," Vicki Rios Martinez said.

Executions Resume At Florida State Prison

The state of Florida's new execution procedure passed its first test.

"We should all be so lucky to go this way," Vicki Rios Martinez said.

It was Florida's first execution since 2006.

Most executions draw demonstrations, and Schwab's was no exception. About 50 people were there. Some of them were for and others against the death penalty.

Schwab began his day with a last meal of fried eggs, bacon, sausage, hash browns, buttered toast and chocolate milk.

It was the same meal he refused to eat in November when the state delayed his execution.

Family, Friends Remember Junny

The day began with a remembrance service for Junny. Family and friends said they opted to focus on the boy's life and not on Schwab.

Friends tied blue ribbons to a tree in front of his parent's yard in Cocoa. Blue was Junny's favorite color.

Some who knew the boy well said even though his life was cut short, he's still helping children everywhere.

"This was a very unusual boy, just a top, top kid ... His life has saved the lives of many, many others because of the change of laws. Pedophiles like Schwab can't get out on half time anymore," the Rev. Tony Fadely said.

The community erected signs to honor Junny at a park named after him. The signs show 17 years of frustration with one meaningful message, justice for Junny.

Schwab's execution leaves 78 inmates from Central Florida on Death Row. Almost one-third of those committed crimes in Orange County. Fifteen inmates are from Volusia County, and Lake and Brevard counties each have 11 inmates on Death Row.


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Another child killer pays the fiddler. Bout time. ALL child killers deserve the death penalty. It is the ONLY way to ensure they NEVER commit this crime again.