⚠️ This episode contains descriptions of murder, violence, prison escape, and death.

In 1998, Martin Gurule did something that seemed almost impossible: he escaped from Texas death row.

But Gurule wasn't supposed to be able to get anywhere near the outside world. He was being held on Texas's death row after being convicted of capital murder for the 1992 killing of restaurant owner Minas “Mike” Piperis and Anthony Staton during a robbery at the U&I Restaurant in Corpus Christi, Texas.

So how did a man sentenced to death manage to escape one of the most heavily secured prison units in Texas?

In this episode of How to Get on Death Row, we follow Martin Gurule's story from his early life and relationship with Malisa Smith, through the events leading up to the U&I Restaurant murders, the investigation, his arrest, trial, and death sentence.

We examine the evidence that connected Martin to the crime, the prosecution's case, his decision to testify in his own defense, and the circumstances surrounding his conviction and placement on Texas's death row.

Then, nearly six years after his conviction, everything changed.

On November 25, 1998, Martin Gurule escaped from the Ellis Unit in Huntsville, Texas, launching one of the largest manhunts in Texas history.

We follow the desperate search that unfolded after his disappearance, the investigation into how he managed to get out of the prison, the evidence that eventually led authorities to him, and the shocking events that brought the manhunt to an end.

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SOURCES & MORE INFORMATION

For sources, court documents, photographs, archival footage, and additional information about the Martin Gurule case, check out our website!

https://howtogetondeathrow.com/

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🎙️ HOW TO GET ON DEATH ROW

Each episode breaks down real death row cases from start to finish— exploring the crime, the investigation, the trial, and the decisions that change everything.

We dive into the evidence and the legal, personal, and ethical factors that can tip the scales between life and death.

Every case tells a different story—but they all answer the same question: how do you get on death row?

Subscribe for new cases and follow along as we examine the people, crimes, and cases that ultimately led to death row.

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How to Get on Death Row is an Esper Creative Production.
Hosted by Olivia Costantino.

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