Bernard's conviction and execution attracted controversy due to questions about the extent of his culpability in the murders.

In the time leading to his execution, prominent politicians, public figures, and five surviving jurors who convicted him advocated for his sentence to be commuted.

His crimes and rebellious behaviors led him to being kicked out of several schools and prosecuted in the juvenile criminal justice system.

Bernard's rebellious and criminal behavior resulted in him being bounced between his parents' households, multiple different schools, and five months in a juvenile detention facility in Brownwood, Texas, in 1995.

In the summer of 1998, Bernard attempted to join the United States Army, but was rejected because of his juvenile offenses.

[4] On the afternoon of June 21, 1999, Brandon Bernard, 18; Christopher Andre Vialva, 19; Terry Terrell Brown, 17; Christopher Michael Lewis, 17; and Tony Sparks, 16, approached Todd and Stacie Bagley, two youth pastors, and asked them for a ride at a gas station with plans to rob them.

Once the Bagleys agreed to give them a ride, Vialva held the couple at gunpoint and forced them into the trunk.

While in the trunk for several hours driving around, the Bagleys spoke through an opening in the back seat and urged their abductors to accept Jesus into their hearts and spare their lives.

Soon after, the teens pulled to the side of the road at Belton Lake recreation area[5] and poured lighter fluid inside the vehicle while the Bagleys sang "Jesus Loves Me".

Brown and Lewis, who both testified against Bernard and Vialva during the trial, both pleaded guilty to second degree murder and each received 248 months in prison.

Lynch pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess a stolen firearm and received a five-year sentence.

[24][25] Bernard's legal team filed appeals on the basis that his prosecutor withheld the information that he was a low-level gang member, making him less likely to be a future offender.

She also noted Bernard's exemplary record in prison; in 20 years, he had never been cited for a disciplinary rules violation.

[29] Bernard was executed by lethal injection at the United States Penitentiary in Terre Haute, Indiana.