Eric Bridgeford, 23, of Houston, Texas, was killed on January 3, 1998 during what investigators described as a violent burglary gone wrong.

Eric and a friend interrupted the burglary and confronted Alix. During that confrontation Alix shot Eric in the chest; Eric bled to death. Alix later led police to a .380-caliber pistol hidden nearby and admitted firing the shot, while claiming he did not intend to kill Eric. The slaying profoundly affected the Bridgeford family; Eric’s mother Janey Bridgeford brought a photograph of her son into the witness room during later legal proceedings.