Attached is a link to an amazing essay written by Sister Helen Prejean about the application of the death penalty in Texas during the reign of then Governor George Bush (known by some abolitionists as the "Texecutioner" because he authorized the execution of 152 individuals during his six years and only granted clemency once...to someone who was innocent of the crime for which he had received his death sentence). Sister Helen takes a heart wrenching look at Bush's approach to clemency and the role his counsel, Alberto Gonzales (now nominated for US Attorney General), played in those clemency decisions. In particular, Sister Helen writes a poignant description of Bush's role in the execution of Karla Faye Tucker. Please do read it, its worth the time.
The New York Review of Books: Death in Texas
As a side note, this essay is adapted from Sister Helen Prejean's upcoming book The Death of Innocents: An Eyewitness Account of Wrongful Executions, which will be published in January 2005. After reading this essay I am looking forward to reading Sister Helen's book even more than before. In case you are interested, you can preorder the book through at least one of the Internet book sellers.
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