There was a steady stream of protesters outside, but no last-minute stays.
By the mid-1980's, though, more and more appeals for last-minute stays of execution were reaching the court.
Only an appellate court's last-minute stay of eviction prevented a confrontation.
Stroman's execution was the eighth in Texas during 2011 so far, and came as his lawyers sought a last-minute stay at the nation's highest court.
Barring last-minute stays, Brazil's Senate is expected to reach a verdict in the impeachment trial on Tuesday.
They frequently vote to grant last-minute stays of execution, even when the death-row inmates' claims are plainly frivolous.
Limbaugh supports capital punishment, saying "the only thing cruel about the death penalty is last-minute stays."
Research gathered in the making of the film led to a last-minute stay of execution.
In October, a Houston federal judge granted a last-minute stay to Dominique Green, but the state appealed.
"It is as if the governor has issued a last-minute stay of execution for those magnificent creatures on the edge of extinction."