Texas ? A man was executed Thursday for killing a Texas state trooper in 1992, a slaying his trial attorneys had argued was prompted by anti-police rap music.

For his final statement, Ronald R. Howard looked at the trooper’s family and said he hoped “this helps a little. I don’t know how, but I hope it helps.”

The slain trooper’s widow and daughter, who were standing next to the window, hugged and kissed as the 32-year-old Howard slipped into unconsciousness.

Howard was executed for killing 43-year-old Department of Public Safety Officer Bill Davidson during a traffic stop about 100 miles southwest of Houston.

Defense lawyers argued at his trial that Howard’s constant exposure to gangsta rap music and its anti-police messages influenced him to pull the trigger.