Texas executed Ronald Ray Howard last night. Thirty-two year old Howard was executed for the killing of Texas Department of Public safety Officer Bill Davidson when he was 18. Howard's case is fairly well-known. His attorneys argued that Howard killed Davidson as the result of the influence of "gangsta rap" music and its anti-police messages.
Before his death, Howard turned to Davidson's widow, daughter and brother and told them he hoped "this helps a little. I don't know how, but I hope it helps."
I guess that's all there is to say. I agree with Howard.
"Gangsta rap" killer executed for trooper's death
Friday, October 07, 2005
Thursday, October 06, 2005
Johnny Paul Penry
Great news! The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has overturned Johnny Paul Penry's death sentence and remanded it to the trial court for a new punishment trial. The Court held that the jury in Penry's most recent retrial may not have considered his claims of mental impairment.
Penry was convicted of the 1979 murder of Pamela Carpenter to which he confessed. His IQ is reportedly below 70, although prosecutors have long argued that Penry's other social issues have prevented him from properly taking the IQ test (I wonder, did his lower IQ play a part in that confession? hmm). The United States Supreme Court already reversed Penry's sentence on two separate occasions (in 1989 and 2001) and the reasoning in those opinions has changed the way courts instruct juries in capital cases.
One has to wonder if the State of Texas will ever just give up and let Penry live his life out in a maximum security prison somewhere.
Texas court overturns death sentence
Penry was convicted of the 1979 murder of Pamela Carpenter to which he confessed. His IQ is reportedly below 70, although prosecutors have long argued that Penry's other social issues have prevented him from properly taking the IQ test (I wonder, did his lower IQ play a part in that confession? hmm). The United States Supreme Court already reversed Penry's sentence on two separate occasions (in 1989 and 2001) and the reasoning in those opinions has changed the way courts instruct juries in capital cases.
One has to wonder if the State of Texas will ever just give up and let Penry live his life out in a maximum security prison somewhere.
Texas court overturns death sentence
Thursday, September 15, 2005
Frances Newton - Texas
I'm not sure I can do it. I'm not sure I can write about the end of Frances' life. She was just one woman. Yet, she was one of the individuals who has affected me the most in this endeavor. There have been three so far that have affected me like this. Two of them are now dead - killed by their own government (both in Texas). The first was James Allridge. James was completely rehabilitated. He admitted his crimes, but he was a changed man, and according to all accounts was a good hearted, kind man who had become a productive member of his society. The second was and is Paul House. Paul is on death row in Tennessee. His case will be argued before the United States Supreme Court this fall (Paul has a fairly strong innocence case with a DNA component). Paul also has active M.S. and his body is degenerating. Unfortunately, it seems likely Paul could die in prison (if he is innocent of the crimes for which he was convicted, as far as I'm concerned, locking him up on death row for the remainder of his days is murder whether he dies strapped to a gurney or if he dies of complications of his M.S.). The third was Frances Newton.
I don't mean to be a drama queen about any of this, but I really have been in a morose mood since last night. Any of the limited faith I had that the "system" cared about actual innocence or negligent prosecution was shattered last night. Frances Newton spent the last 18 years of her life behind bars waiting to die . She was convicted of killing her own family. With the additional evidence waiting to be tested and the evidence of her negligent prosecution, its possible Frances Newton was innocent of those crimes. At the very least, its HIGHLY possible that a more appropriately run prosecution of those crimes may have resulted in Frances being given a life sentence. If Frances was indeed innocent (as she fought to prove for 18 years), that means the State of Texas convicted an innocent woman of killing her own husband and her own two children and then placed her in an isolated death row prison cell to await her own murder. I don't think that's what the drafters of our Constitution envisioned when they imagined the results of due process. The government is supposed to protect its citizens, not kill them because their time has run out and no more appeals are "available." How can appeals "run out" when there is still more evidence to review?
Normally, I might mention the family of the victims in an obituary posting like this. Obviously, an execution is a painful time not just for family of the condemned but also for the families of those who were murdered to begin with. It is important to remember the lives of those that were taken at the hands of another. I have posted on this before. I will not repeat myself. However, in this obituary, the family of the victims WAS Frances Newton herself. The irony of all of this is that if Frances did not kill her husband and two children, today might have been the day that Frances would have been asked to witness the execution of whomever did kill them. She would have been the family member seeking closure through the murder of her daughter's killer. I don't know whether Frances would have agreed with capital punishment had she never been on death row. I do know, however, that Frances' trial and conviction were not exemplary. I do know that there was evidence that might very well have cleared Frances if it had been tested properly. If Frances was innocent, her time to grieve was taken by the state and she was forced to endure a trial for the very murders she may have needed to grieve. That also means that instead of serving as the family of the victim on execution day, Frances Newton died and the individual who might have been strapped to the gurney in her stead is walking free.
We may never know whether Frances was innocent or not. Ultimately, however, that should not be the point. Frances' death (or the death of the person who's execution Frances might have been asked to watch were she the victim instead of the condemned) served no purpose, guilty or not. Frances' death was not necessary even if she was guilty. Frances' death, like every other killing on death row, was a statement society did not need. Who did Frances Newton's death bring closure for? As Amnesty International asks "Why do we kill to show others that killing is wrong?" Its bad public policy to kill anyone. Its especially bad public policy to kill a possibly innocent individual.
This obituary has not even touched on the fact that Frances Newton was a black woman. I wonder how hard it was for a black woman accused of killing her black husband to get a "fair" trial with an "impartial" jury in Harris County, Texas in 1987. How hard is it in 2005? How hard is it anywhere in the United States?
Frances Newton died at shortly after 6:00 p.m. on September 14th. She was 40 years old at the time of her death.
Texas Executes Woman for Killing Family
I don't mean to be a drama queen about any of this, but I really have been in a morose mood since last night. Any of the limited faith I had that the "system" cared about actual innocence or negligent prosecution was shattered last night. Frances Newton spent the last 18 years of her life behind bars waiting to die . She was convicted of killing her own family. With the additional evidence waiting to be tested and the evidence of her negligent prosecution, its possible Frances Newton was innocent of those crimes. At the very least, its HIGHLY possible that a more appropriately run prosecution of those crimes may have resulted in Frances being given a life sentence. If Frances was indeed innocent (as she fought to prove for 18 years), that means the State of Texas convicted an innocent woman of killing her own husband and her own two children and then placed her in an isolated death row prison cell to await her own murder. I don't think that's what the drafters of our Constitution envisioned when they imagined the results of due process. The government is supposed to protect its citizens, not kill them because their time has run out and no more appeals are "available." How can appeals "run out" when there is still more evidence to review?
Normally, I might mention the family of the victims in an obituary posting like this. Obviously, an execution is a painful time not just for family of the condemned but also for the families of those who were murdered to begin with. It is important to remember the lives of those that were taken at the hands of another. I have posted on this before. I will not repeat myself. However, in this obituary, the family of the victims WAS Frances Newton herself. The irony of all of this is that if Frances did not kill her husband and two children, today might have been the day that Frances would have been asked to witness the execution of whomever did kill them. She would have been the family member seeking closure through the murder of her daughter's killer. I don't know whether Frances would have agreed with capital punishment had she never been on death row. I do know, however, that Frances' trial and conviction were not exemplary. I do know that there was evidence that might very well have cleared Frances if it had been tested properly. If Frances was innocent, her time to grieve was taken by the state and she was forced to endure a trial for the very murders she may have needed to grieve. That also means that instead of serving as the family of the victim on execution day, Frances Newton died and the individual who might have been strapped to the gurney in her stead is walking free.
We may never know whether Frances was innocent or not. Ultimately, however, that should not be the point. Frances' death (or the death of the person who's execution Frances might have been asked to watch were she the victim instead of the condemned) served no purpose, guilty or not. Frances' death was not necessary even if she was guilty. Frances' death, like every other killing on death row, was a statement society did not need. Who did Frances Newton's death bring closure for? As Amnesty International asks "Why do we kill to show others that killing is wrong?" Its bad public policy to kill anyone. Its especially bad public policy to kill a possibly innocent individual.
This obituary has not even touched on the fact that Frances Newton was a black woman. I wonder how hard it was for a black woman accused of killing her black husband to get a "fair" trial with an "impartial" jury in Harris County, Texas in 1987. How hard is it in 2005? How hard is it anywhere in the United States?
Frances Newton died at shortly after 6:00 p.m. on September 14th. She was 40 years old at the time of her death.
Texas Executes Woman for Killing Family
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
Frances Newton
Well, I guess it takes scaring the bejeebers out of me to get back in the saddle. We'll see if I can keep up, but for today, I'm starting with Frances Newton.
Frances Newton is scheduled to be executed tonight by the State of Texas. There is untested evidence in this case that could show that Frances Newton may well be actually innocent. The Texas courts and Governor Perry are aware of this possibility. The courts have denied Frances another stay of execution. Her appeals are supposedly "up."
I don't get it. I just don't get it. If you have evidence that might show someone is innocent (or at least provide cause for a new trial), why wouldn't you test it? If you believe in the death penalty, why wouldn't you do EVERYTHING you could to assure someone was truly guilty before killing them? Isn't a death penalty proponents biggest fear the execution of a person who is actually innocent? Wouldn't the execution of an innocent woman in Texas totally undermine the Texas death penalty system?
Save Frances...call Governor Perry's office and urge him to commute her sentence (at the very least).
Last-ditch efforts made to save Frances Newton
Frances Newton is scheduled to be executed tonight by the State of Texas. There is untested evidence in this case that could show that Frances Newton may well be actually innocent. The Texas courts and Governor Perry are aware of this possibility. The courts have denied Frances another stay of execution. Her appeals are supposedly "up."
I don't get it. I just don't get it. If you have evidence that might show someone is innocent (or at least provide cause for a new trial), why wouldn't you test it? If you believe in the death penalty, why wouldn't you do EVERYTHING you could to assure someone was truly guilty before killing them? Isn't a death penalty proponents biggest fear the execution of a person who is actually innocent? Wouldn't the execution of an innocent woman in Texas totally undermine the Texas death penalty system?
Save Frances...call Governor Perry's office and urge him to commute her sentence (at the very least).
Last-ditch efforts made to save Frances Newton
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
Larry Griffin
If you care about abolition, you need to read this article. Heck, if you care about society and the human condition you need to read this article.
The State of Missouri may very well have executed an innocent man. Larry Griffin, who was convicted of killing Quintin Moss in 1981, was killed by the State of Missouri in 1995. As is not uncommon, Larry maintained his innocence until his death. Now, even member's of the Moss' family believe the Griffin was not Quintin's killer.
Ok, so this is not the first time that someone has claimed innocence. Its also not the first time that the victim's family has believed someone else committed the murder. The difference this time? The prosecution has REOPENED the case. Larry Griffin is DEAD, but now the State has reopened the case based on alarming evidence that Larry may not have killed Quintin Moss. HELLO.
I'm assuming there are very few people out there who are not concerned that we might execute the innocent (those that are not figure the innocent are collateral damage I guess? There are also those that think that even if the convicted person is innocent of that particular murder, they probably did something else horrible so their execution is ok? Huh...now that's good public policy. I hope they are not on my jury if I'm accused of something horrid.). Thing is, despite the number who are shocked and horrified by the idea of killing an innocent person, many of those still think capital punishment should be part of public policy. To many, the problem is not capital punishment, its conviction of the innocent. Huh...I guess I just don't see how those two don't go hand in hand. Perhaps proof that an innocent was murdered by our government will help convince the dissenters.
Of course, for me, whether Larry Griffin killed Quintin Moss or not, did not justify his death. However, if he did NOT kill Quintin Moss, then he was a sacrificial lamb in a horrifying display of power. If Griffin didn't kill Moss, then the State took away 14 years of his life in a prison cell and then cancelled his life for good in 1995. Larry Griffin was 40 at the time of his death. 40!
Executed man's case reopened
The State of Missouri may very well have executed an innocent man. Larry Griffin, who was convicted of killing Quintin Moss in 1981, was killed by the State of Missouri in 1995. As is not uncommon, Larry maintained his innocence until his death. Now, even member's of the Moss' family believe the Griffin was not Quintin's killer.
Ok, so this is not the first time that someone has claimed innocence. Its also not the first time that the victim's family has believed someone else committed the murder. The difference this time? The prosecution has REOPENED the case. Larry Griffin is DEAD, but now the State has reopened the case based on alarming evidence that Larry may not have killed Quintin Moss. HELLO.
I'm assuming there are very few people out there who are not concerned that we might execute the innocent (those that are not figure the innocent are collateral damage I guess? There are also those that think that even if the convicted person is innocent of that particular murder, they probably did something else horrible so their execution is ok? Huh...now that's good public policy. I hope they are not on my jury if I'm accused of something horrid.). Thing is, despite the number who are shocked and horrified by the idea of killing an innocent person, many of those still think capital punishment should be part of public policy. To many, the problem is not capital punishment, its conviction of the innocent. Huh...I guess I just don't see how those two don't go hand in hand. Perhaps proof that an innocent was murdered by our government will help convince the dissenters.
Of course, for me, whether Larry Griffin killed Quintin Moss or not, did not justify his death. However, if he did NOT kill Quintin Moss, then he was a sacrificial lamb in a horrifying display of power. If Griffin didn't kill Moss, then the State took away 14 years of his life in a prison cell and then cancelled his life for good in 1995. Larry Griffin was 40 at the time of his death. 40!
Executed man's case reopened
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
Paul Gregory House
I know there is other DP news that I've missed this week and I'm sorry. I will try to get to it. However, I just have to share this news!
The Supreme Court has accepted Paul House's petition for certiorari! Paul is trying to get a new trial after DNA evidence (and other evidence) has pointed the finger at the victim's husband. I've written about Paul before. He's been on death row for years, has always claimed his innocence, and is currently suffering from MS. The Sixth Circuit decision in his appeal split the judges 8-7 in favor of the state. It was one of the worst opinions I've read in awhile. In fact, some of the dissenting judges opined that they believed Paul is innocent! Yet, the court refused him a new trial. This is where the system gets quirky.
Paul House is suffering greatly from his MS. If he gets his new trial and the jury finds him not guilty, I just pray that it is in time for him to get back out into the world and enjoy some of his life. If this doesn't happen soon, Paul may die in the infirmary on death row. Whether he is executed or dies of his MS behind bars, the result is the same if he is an innocent man: an innocent man spent his last days on earth (and his last YEARS) behind the bars of Tennessee's death row.
I don't know if Paul is innocent, and I haven't reviewed all the evidence, but the DNA evidence alone is compelling. I have to leave that decision to a jury. However, for now, I'm pleased that Paul will get the chance to fight for his life a little bit longer.
DNA evidence on Supreme Court agenda
The Supreme Court has accepted Paul House's petition for certiorari! Paul is trying to get a new trial after DNA evidence (and other evidence) has pointed the finger at the victim's husband. I've written about Paul before. He's been on death row for years, has always claimed his innocence, and is currently suffering from MS. The Sixth Circuit decision in his appeal split the judges 8-7 in favor of the state. It was one of the worst opinions I've read in awhile. In fact, some of the dissenting judges opined that they believed Paul is innocent! Yet, the court refused him a new trial. This is where the system gets quirky.
Paul House is suffering greatly from his MS. If he gets his new trial and the jury finds him not guilty, I just pray that it is in time for him to get back out into the world and enjoy some of his life. If this doesn't happen soon, Paul may die in the infirmary on death row. Whether he is executed or dies of his MS behind bars, the result is the same if he is an innocent man: an innocent man spent his last days on earth (and his last YEARS) behind the bars of Tennessee's death row.
I don't know if Paul is innocent, and I haven't reviewed all the evidence, but the DNA evidence alone is compelling. I have to leave that decision to a jury. However, for now, I'm pleased that Paul will get the chance to fight for his life a little bit longer.
DNA evidence on Supreme Court agenda
Saturday, June 18, 2005
Texas - Life without Parole
Wow. First the Supreme Court and now the State of Texas does something extraordinary (for it anyway). Governor Rick Perry signed a law this week that will allow juries to choose a sentence of life without possibility of parole instead of the death penalty. Prior to this law, Texas only had two options in "capital" crimes: death or life with the possibility of parole after 40 years. Jurors who are afraid that a violent criminal will be released and offend again and choose the death penalty because to them it is the lesser of two bad options (even if they think the defendant does not deserve death), will now be less stuck between a rock and a hard place. (see Kelsey Patterson for a good example of this)
As you all know, I'm a big advocate of the life without parole option. I'm the first one to say that I think most convicted capital murderers (provided there were no other constitutional issues with the conviction and no evidence of actual innocence) should be locked away for the remainder of their natural lives. There are some crimes that capital punishment jurisdictions find worthy of death that I do not think fall into the category of necessitating life without parole (in certain circumstances), but overall, I think life without possibility of parole is the most appropriate option.
Huh...I wonder if I am still on hiatus...
Texas withdraws parole option in murder cases
As you all know, I'm a big advocate of the life without parole option. I'm the first one to say that I think most convicted capital murderers (provided there were no other constitutional issues with the conviction and no evidence of actual innocence) should be locked away for the remainder of their natural lives. There are some crimes that capital punishment jurisdictions find worthy of death that I do not think fall into the category of necessitating life without parole (in certain circumstances), but overall, I think life without possibility of parole is the most appropriate option.
Huh...I wonder if I am still on hiatus...
Texas withdraws parole option in murder cases
Monday, June 13, 2005
Thomas Miller-El
The Supreme Court did something extraordinary today. They listened to a man convicted in Texas of a capital crime who claimed his jury was unfairly stacked with white jurors. It not only listened, it agreed. As David Elliot would say, the Supreme Court gave the Fifth Circuit a big ole slap down. Six of the nine Supreme Court Justices found that the Texas prosecutors who prosecuted Thomas Miller-El for the 1985 murder of a Dallas motel clerk had unfairly kept black jurors off the jury by shuffling the jury pool and using illegitimate pretext for excusing potential black jurors. Miller-El was convicted and given a death sentence by a jury of 12 that included 1 black member. Prosecutors dismissed 9 of the 10 potential black jurors they interviewed. Miller-El also presented evidence that from the 1960s into the early 80s, prosecutors in Dallas County were given training manuals that advised them on excluding blacks and Jews from capital juries.
I've not returned from my hiatus yet, gang. I just needed to share this good news with you. Rulings like these help immensely with assuring that the death penalty is applied in a less racist fashion. I'd like to see it go away completely, but until then, its important that EVERY defendant has the same chances of getting a death sentence and that black and Hispanic individuals are not handicapped before even coming out of the shoot.
Supreme Court reverses death penalty conviction
I've not returned from my hiatus yet, gang. I just needed to share this good news with you. Rulings like these help immensely with assuring that the death penalty is applied in a less racist fashion. I'd like to see it go away completely, but until then, its important that EVERY defendant has the same chances of getting a death sentence and that black and Hispanic individuals are not handicapped before even coming out of the shoot.
Supreme Court reverses death penalty conviction
Wednesday, June 01, 2005
Hiatus
Hey gang. As you can probably tell, I'm on hiatus. At first it was just delay in posting because I was busy. Now, I'm choosing to take a little break. I will come back, I promise. I just need some time because my for-pay job is absorbing all of me for the time being. Don't go away ok? Keep coming back. If you want, you can email me at Hotmail and I'll email you when I start posting again. Hopefully, I'll be back to normal speed within the month. See you then!
Friday, May 13, 2005
George James Miller Jr. - Oklahoma
The State of Oklahoma executed George James Miller Jr. yesterday evening for the murder of Kent Dodd. Miller was convicted of killing Miller based on circumstantial evidence. He has continually claimed innocence of the crime. Nonetheless, his appeals were denied and Miller was executed for a crime with only circumstantial evidence to prove his guilt.
Seems to me that its one thing to convict a man based on circumstantial evidence (it happens all the time), and entirely another to condemn him to his own murder. Miller may very well have been guilty, but circumstantial evidence shows only that, circumstances. Even a small chance that the only thing the evidence truly shows is that Miller was in the wrong place at the wrong time, should be enough to allow him to live.
Man Executed for Killing in Okla. City
Seems to me that its one thing to convict a man based on circumstantial evidence (it happens all the time), and entirely another to condemn him to his own murder. Miller may very well have been guilty, but circumstantial evidence shows only that, circumstances. Even a small chance that the only thing the evidence truly shows is that Miller was in the wrong place at the wrong time, should be enough to allow him to live.
Man Executed for Killing in Okla. City
Michael Ross - Connecticut
The Ross circus is over. In the dead of night, the State of Connecticut executed Michael Ross by lethal injection. The execution was the first in New England in over forty-five years.
Michael Ross had admitted to killing eight women in both Connecticut and New York. Ross had served 21 years on death row and had waived all of his appeals. Several of his family members had filed numerous appeals on Ross' behalf (against his wishes), and the last of those appeals was denied by the United States Supreme Court late last night. Ross's relatives argued that Ross suffered from "death row syndrome" and that his mental state had degraded to the point where he felt it would be better to die.
Michael Ross got his wish. The State of Connecticut performed his suicide for him. Michael Ross waived his appeals for himself and not for his victims, but I hope that his death can now bring some sense of peace to the families of his victims. At least now, the media circus should end and the extended legal fight is over.
I admit, its hard for me to have sympathy for Michael Ross. His crimes were indeed some of the worst of the worst. That doesn't change the fact that I do not think he should have been killed. It also doesn't change the fact that I think the death penalty is flawed public policy.
For more information on Michael Ross and the fight to save his life, see the NCADP blog where David has posted a couple of commentaries, including a dissent from the CT Supreme Court.
Connecticut serial killer put to death
Michael Ross had admitted to killing eight women in both Connecticut and New York. Ross had served 21 years on death row and had waived all of his appeals. Several of his family members had filed numerous appeals on Ross' behalf (against his wishes), and the last of those appeals was denied by the United States Supreme Court late last night. Ross's relatives argued that Ross suffered from "death row syndrome" and that his mental state had degraded to the point where he felt it would be better to die.
Michael Ross got his wish. The State of Connecticut performed his suicide for him. Michael Ross waived his appeals for himself and not for his victims, but I hope that his death can now bring some sense of peace to the families of his victims. At least now, the media circus should end and the extended legal fight is over.
I admit, its hard for me to have sympathy for Michael Ross. His crimes were indeed some of the worst of the worst. That doesn't change the fact that I do not think he should have been killed. It also doesn't change the fact that I think the death penalty is flawed public policy.
For more information on Michael Ross and the fight to save his life, see the NCADP blog where David has posted a couple of commentaries, including a dissent from the CT Supreme Court.
Connecticut serial killer put to death
Tuesday, May 10, 2005
Michael Ross
The Michael Ross circus has begun again. Connecticut is scheduled to execute Michael Ross early Friday morning. If it proceeds, it will be the first execution in New England in 45 years.
So far, the Connecticut Supreme Court has denied a request to stay Ross' execution. The battle is undoubtedly not over yet though. Ross has stated he wants to drop all appeals and be put to death. However, his family is fighting his competency to waive his appeals and I expect its likely his family will appeal this ruling to the Federal Courts or to the U.S. Supreme Court directly and will also file a clemency request with the governor.
Stay tuned...
Connecticut Supreme Court won't block Ross execution
So far, the Connecticut Supreme Court has denied a request to stay Ross' execution. The battle is undoubtedly not over yet though. Ross has stated he wants to drop all appeals and be put to death. However, his family is fighting his competency to waive his appeals and I expect its likely his family will appeal this ruling to the Federal Courts or to the U.S. Supreme Court directly and will also file a clemency request with the governor.
Stay tuned...
Connecticut Supreme Court won't block Ross execution
Friday, May 06, 2005
Earl Richmond Jr. - North Carolina
Earl Richmond Jr. died at 2:19 a.m. this morning after the State of North Carolina administered a lethal injection. The article below states correctly that Richmond arrived in the execution chamber strapped to a gurney with "bags of poison hanging at his side." That's exactly what it is - poison.
Richmond killed a number of people, including the ex-wife and two children of Wayne Hayes. After his death, Richmond's attorneys read a statement of apology. According to his attorneys, Richmond did not want anyone to think that his statements of remorse were a ploy to seek clemency.
Earl Richmond expressed his hope that the families of his victims could find peace through his death. I hope for the same.
N.C. executes man convicted in deaths of four people
Richmond killed a number of people, including the ex-wife and two children of Wayne Hayes. After his death, Richmond's attorneys read a statement of apology. According to his attorneys, Richmond did not want anyone to think that his statements of remorse were a ploy to seek clemency.
Earl Richmond expressed his hope that the families of his victims could find peace through his death. I hope for the same.
N.C. executes man convicted in deaths of four people
Thursday, May 05, 2005
An Anniversary
Well gang. I missed the official date, but as of this week, the Lonely Abolitionist has been on the e-waves for one full year. My first post was on May 2, 2004. In that time, I've posted obits on almost all of those executed (54 in total). The first execution after the blog started was of Kelsey Patterson, a mentally ill man in Texas who's lawyers unsuccessfully attempted to save his life with last minute clemency requests and appeals. We've also seen several changes in the law through state legislation and Court intervention (including the U.S. Supreme Court's decision regarding execution of juveniles).
During this year, there have been over 5000 visits to the blog. People find it through links to other anti-death penalty websites or via searches or particular topics or individuals (John Lotter is a common search, and a lot of people found the blog during the first round of Michael Ross appeals). In the meantime, several other anti-death penalty blogs have sprung up. At the time I started this venture, I couldn't find any blogs dedicated to death penalty work.
Thanks for helping this be a terrific year. Its been a great ride so far.
During this year, there have been over 5000 visits to the blog. People find it through links to other anti-death penalty websites or via searches or particular topics or individuals (John Lotter is a common search, and a lot of people found the blog during the first round of Michael Ross appeals). In the meantime, several other anti-death penalty blogs have sprung up. At the time I started this venture, I couldn't find any blogs dedicated to death penalty work.
Thanks for helping this be a terrific year. Its been a great ride so far.
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
Lonnie Wayne Pursley - Texas
The State of Texas executed its sixth man of 2005 tonight. Lonnie Wayne Pursley, 43, died from a lethal injection shortly after 6:00 p.m. According to reports, Pursley seemed at peace about his death because he had found Christianity and believed he was "going home." He also received word that the family of his victim, Robert Earl Cook, had offered their forgiveness.
Three-Time Parolee Executed in Texas
Three-Time Parolee Executed in Texas
Thursday, April 28, 2005
I was on a roll tonight, so I updated the side bar quote.
The last quote was a statement of Robert F. Kennedy, who - ironically - would later have his life taken unnecessarily in an attack of violence.
"Whenever any American life is taken by another unnecessarily - whether it is done in the name of the law or in defiance of the law ... in an attack of violence or in response to violence - the whole nation is degraded."
The last quote was a statement of Robert F. Kennedy, who - ironically - would later have his life taken unnecessarily in an attack of violence.
"Whenever any American life is taken by another unnecessarily - whether it is done in the name of the law or in defiance of the law ... in an attack of violence or in response to violence - the whole nation is degraded."
Well gang, maybe something is working. Apparently, there were "only" 125 people sent to death row in 2004. That is the lowest number since the death penalty's reinstatement in 1976. It is also the continuation of six years of consecutive annual decline. In 1998 there were 300. We are down 175 since then. At that rate, we only have 5-6 years to go before there are none.
Ok OK...don't bust my bubble just yet...It's a nice dream...I'd like to hang on to it for awhile.
Fewest Added To Death Row Since 1976
Ok OK...don't bust my bubble just yet...It's a nice dream...I'd like to hang on to it for awhile.
Fewest Added To Death Row Since 1976
Mario Centobie - Alabama
Mario Centobie died at 6:22 this evening as the result of a lethal injection. The State of Alabama executed him only 12 years after he was considered a hero for saving lives during an Amtrak accident. The 39 year old Centobie had denied any remaining appeals and had prepared himself for his death. He was, for all intents and purposes, a "volunteer," and this was a state sponsored suicide. This situation is one of the only situations where one can commit suicide by murder. I can't think of another. So much for the "culture of life."
Centobie Executed
Centobie Executed
Bill Benefiel, Jr. - Indiana
The State of Indiana executed Bill Benefiel, Jr. during the early morning of April 21, 2005 (another one of those, we're-so-ashamed-of-it-we-do-it-in-the-middle-of-the-night killings). Benefiel had been on death row for almost eighteen years. According to his attorney, he was mentally ill and had refused to participate in the activities meant to prevent his death.
The mother of one of Benefiel's victims told the Associated Press how relieved she was that Benefiel's execution had finally come. She told the AP that she was going to try to put Benefiel as far behind her as possible. She was very much for Benefiel's murder. Its taken eighteen years for Indiana to kill Bill Benefiel. Again, I have to wonder, wouldn't it have been easier to just put him "as far behind you as possible" eighteen years ago by knowing that he was locked in a small box of a room for the rest of his days on earth? Does the fact that he's dead mean that she'll think of him less? I guess I hope so. At least that way, some small positive thing will come out of the execution.
Benefiel executed by chemical injection
The mother of one of Benefiel's victims told the Associated Press how relieved she was that Benefiel's execution had finally come. She told the AP that she was going to try to put Benefiel as far behind her as possible. She was very much for Benefiel's murder. Its taken eighteen years for Indiana to kill Bill Benefiel. Again, I have to wonder, wouldn't it have been easier to just put him "as far behind you as possible" eighteen years ago by knowing that he was locked in a small box of a room for the rest of his days on earth? Does the fact that he's dead mean that she'll think of him less? I guess I hope so. At least that way, some small positive thing will come out of the execution.
Benefiel executed by chemical injection
Douglas Roberts - Texas
The Dominion of Texas executed Douglas Roberts on April 20th. Roberts 42, died shortly after 6:00 p.m. According to newspaper reports, he was upbeat and animated in the few minutes before the drugs were pumped in. Roberts had admitted to his crime, a murder that took place through a haze of drugs. At Roberts' instruction, his trial counsel called no defense witnesses and Roberts requested that his attorney pick a pro-death penalty jury. Those facts make this even more upsetting. Roberts' crime was horrible, but it was not the worst of the worst (isn't that what the theory of the death penalty claims it should be used for?). In fact, Roberts had apparent mitigating circumstances, but I doubt the jury heard them.
Texas Inmate Executed for 1996 Murder
Texas Inmate Executed for 1996 Murder
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