Dominique Green - Texas

I have delayed posting about Dominique Green's execution because it continues to puzzle me. I am continually flabbergasted at how the feelings of the victim's family can play such a limited (if at all) role in the ultimate ending of a prisoner's life. Dominique Green went to his death consistently insisting that he had not been the shooter in the death of Andrew Lastrapes Jr. Green admitted he was involved in the activities surrounding Lastrapes' death but always maintained he had not been the shooter. There were also concerns about the evidence used to convict Green (part of the Harris County evidence astrocities) and questions about possible racism bases for Green's sentence. The toughest part of this to swallow, however, is that the State of Texas gave no credence to the feelings of Lastrapes' family. Both the victim's brother and wife reportedly supported Green's push for clemency. The family recognized Green's humanity and reportedly had even spent time visiting with Green while he was serving on death row. How is is that the State can pay no mind to the wishes of those actually affected by the crime? I guess that in these cases, closure and justice for the victim's family is not a consideration. Instead the consideration is revenge, eye-for-an-eye "justice" and example.

The first article posted on Dominique Green is an editorial in the Houston Chronicle published shortly after Green's death. I don't often have opinion pieces to post after an execution. However, this editorial seems particularly poignant, especially considering it appears in a Texas newspaper. I also like being able to avoid the typical post-execution article about the condemned person's last meal and parting words.

Dominique Green died shortly after 8:00pm on October 26th in Huntsville, Texas. He was 30 years old and had spent almost 12 years on death row. Like James Allridge, Green reportedly had changed his life around during his time on death row. Apparently, he even received a visit from Nobel Peace Prize winner Bishop Desmond Tutu.
Bulletin of a life taken
Green set to die despite HPD concerns