By Katherine Tinsley
8:50am PST, Feb 6, 2025
Dobson's dreams of using faith to build a community were cut short after the then-28-year-old was killed in a church robbery on March 3, 2011.
"He was a fine, young preacher, but a much better person," Dennis Wiles, who was the pastor of First Baptist Arlington Church, said in a news conference at the time.
Despite the charges against him, Nelson insisted that he was innocent and was only a lookout in the church robbery. Nelson, who was later accused of taking the life of a fellow inmate, claimed his two friends were the true assailants.
"People do deserve second chances," he told News Nation. "I'm not the monster that they say I am."
Before receiving his lethal injection, Nelson accepted his fate.
"It is what it is," Nelson said in his final moments, according to the Associated Press.
"I'm not scared. I'm at peace," Nelson added. "Let's ride, Warden."
In his final interview, Nelson revealed he reached out to Dobson's clan, but they weren't interested in communicating with him.
"As a family, we have chosen to take this day to focus on the great memories we have of Clint rather than giving time to his killer," Dobson's loved ones said in a statement.
"Steven Nelson forever changed our lives, but he has never occupied our minds," they added. "We miss Clint every day. We miss his laughter and his wit, his advice and his love for us."
Bradley Elliott, whose mother, Judy, survived the attack, was asked about Nelson receiving the death penalty.
"I hope that today as Mr. Nelson took his last breath that he was greeted by the same loving and gracious Savior that has stood by us through all we have been a part of," Elliott said.
"Mr. Nelson, we forgive you and hope to see you when we are called home from here," he added.
Nelson's wife, Helene Noa Dubois, was present for his execution.
Dubois worked tirelessly to help her husband receive clemency, but her efforts weren't successful.
