Carl Buntion: A Complex Life Through the Lens of Human Design

Carl Buntion, a name etched in the annals of American criminal history, is most notoriously remembered for the tragic events that unfolded on June 27, 1990. Born on March 30, 1944, in Houston, Texas, Buntion’s life was a tumultuous journey of crime, violence, and ultimately, capital punishment. On April 21, 2022, at the age of 78, he became the oldest inmate to be executed in Texas, marking a grim milestone in the state’s judicial history. However, to truly understand the complexities of Buntion’s life, we must explore not just his actions but also his Human Design, which provides a deeper insight into his behavioral patterns and life journey.

The Early Years: A Life of Crime Begins

Carl Buntion’s early life set the stage for a career marked by crime and violence. From a young age, he was embroiled in illegal activities, with a rap sheet that included theft, burglary, drug possession, and sexual assault. By the time he was 18, Buntion was already familiar with the prison system, having served multiple sentences. His life was characterized by a pattern of incarceration and brief releases, amassing at least seven felony convictions in Texas.

His release in May 1989, after serving just 13 months of a 15-year sentence for sexually assaulting a child, was one of the brief respites from incarceration. Yet, this period of freedom was short-lived, as his path continued to spiral towards the tragic incident in 1990. Understanding Buntion’s Human Design may offer some insight into the motivations and actions that defined his life.

Human Design: Manifesting Generator

Carl Buntion was a Manifesting Generator within the Human Design system. Manifesting Generators are known for their dynamic energy and ability to multitask. They are designed to respond to life as it happens, often taking on multiple projects simultaneously. Buntion’s criminal activities and his ability to navigate the complexities of a life on the edge can be viewed through this lens of never-ending energy and a need for constant engagement.

Inner Authority: Sacral

With a Sacral Inner Authority, Buntion was driven by gut responses. This means that his decisions were often based on immediate emotional or physical reactions rather than calculated thought processes. The fateful evening of June 27, 1990, when he shot Officer James “Jim” Irby, could be interpreted as a moment where his Sacral response led him to act impulsively, without forethought of the consequences.

Strategy: To Respond

As a Manifesting Generator, Buntion’s life strategy was “To Respond.” This suggests that he was often reacting to external stimuli rather than initiating actions on his own. His criminal behavior can be seen as a series of responses to his environment, circumstances, and personal vendettas, such as his vow for revenge following the death of his twin brother Kenneth in 1971.

Profile: 1/3

Buntion’s 1/3 Profile indicates a life of trial and error, with a strong desire to understand the world. The “1” in his profile represents an investigator, someone who seeks knowledge and understanding, while the “3” suggests an experimenter, someone who learns through direct experience, often making mistakes along the way. This combination could explain Buntion’s repeated encounters with the law, as his actions were part of an unconscious search for understanding and clarity, albeit through destructive means.

Incarnation Cross: Right Angle Cross of Tension (21/48 | 38/39)

The Right Angle Cross of Tension is characterized by a life filled with challenges and an inherent tension between personal desires and societal expectations. For Buntion, this may have manifested as a continuous internal struggle between his impulses and the constraints imposed by law and order. The tension inherent in his life path possibly contributed to the volatility and unpredictability of his actions.

Defined Channels: “16-48,” “7-31,” “46-29,” “21-45”

The channels in Buntion’s design further elucidate his personality and actions:

• Channel 16-48: Known as the “Channel of Talent,” this suggests an inherent skill or knack for specific activities, which, in a positive light, could have been used constructively but, combined with his criminal tendencies, may have fueled his criminal expertise.
• Channel 7-31: The “Channel of the Alpha” indicates leadership potential and a desire for influence, which might explain his ability to navigate and manipulate those around him.
• Channel 46-29: The “Channel of Discovery” speaks to a love for exploration and new experiences, sometimes regardless of the cost or consequences, potentially explaining his persistent criminal pursuits.
• Channel 21-45: Known as the “Channel of Money,” this channel suggests a focus on control and resources, which could relate to his early life of theft and burglary.

The 1990 Incident: A Tragic Climax

The events of June 27, 1990, stand as a pivotal moment in Carl Buntion’s life. As a passenger in a car stopped by Officer James Irby for an illegal turn, Buntion’s Sacral response and Manifesting Generator energy culminated in an impulsive act of violence. Shooting Officer Irby in the head and then firing additional rounds into his body, Buntion’s actions resulted in a tragic loss of life and set in motion the events that would lead to his eventual execution.

After the shooting, Buntion fired indiscriminately as he and his friend sped away, injuring another driver in the chaotic aftermath. This behavior underscores the unpredictable and volatile nature of his responses, consistent with his Human Design profile.

Trial, Conviction, and Execution

Following his apprehension, Carl Buntion was taken to trial and convicted of capital murder. His path through the legal system was marked by appeals and delays, a common narrative in capital punishment cases. Nevertheless, in April 2022, the state of Texas carried out his execution by lethal injection. As the oldest inmate to be executed in Texas, Buntion’s life ended much as it had been lived—amidst tension