Roberts stole a car from a woman at knifepoint at a San Antonio convenience store. Fearing that the car had been reported stolen, Roberts later drove into an apartment complex parking lot and abducted Jerry Velez in his own car at knifepoint. Roberts robbed Velez of his cash and ordered him to drive him out of San Antonio. Roberts ordered Velez out of the car on a desolate road outside the city at knifepoint. Velez lunged and Roberts stated he repeatedly stabbed Velez, then ran over his body as he drove away in the car. Roberts drove to Austin, called 911 and told the dispatcher he kidnaped and killed Velez. In a videotaped interview with police, Roberts gave a complete confession.
Roberts was upbeat and animated in the seconds before the lethal drugs were administered. "I've been hanging around this popsicle stand way too long, I want to tell you all. When I die, bury me deep, lay two speakers at my feet, put some headphones on my head and rock 'n' roll me when I'm dead. I'll see you in heaven some day." Roberts was smiling and mouthing "I love you all" to friends watching through a window, then said "I've got to go" and took his final breath. For his final meal he requested: Three Southern fried chicken breasts, two bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwiches, three enchiladas, ground beef, two grilled pork chops, six corn tortillas, four deviled eggs, 12 green olives with Italian ketchup, butter beans and cabbage seasoned with hambone, broccoli with cheese sauce, fried onion rings, french fries, tomato, lettuce, cheese, picante sauce, onions and jalapenos.