Is Texas Ready to Execute Another Innocent?
by William Newmiller
Tomorrow, October 27, 2009, Reginald Blanton is scheduled to be executed. He was convicted based upon coerced statements subsequently recanted at trial, a trial where the prosecution struck all African-Americans from the jury. No physical evidence connected Blanton to the crime. In fact, a footprint thought to be that of the perpetrator didn't match Blanton's.
A full account of the case can be read here.
In Texas, and around the nation, people have rallied urging Governor Rick Perry to delay the execution, to fully consider the shortcomings of the investigation and trial that led to Blanton's conviction, to avoid the possibility--even the likelihood--of a rerun of the Willingham case, where evidence that Texas executed an innocent man is overwhelming.
His mother Anna Blanton gave an impassioned plea to a large crowd at the 10th annual Abolish the Death Penalty March in Austin, Texas, where she pleaded that Governor Rick Perry be held accountable. Here's a video of her address:
Rick Perry's phone number is 512-463-2000. Call him up and urge him to save Reggie Blanton.
A full account of the case can be read here.
In Texas, and around the nation, people have rallied urging Governor Rick Perry to delay the execution, to fully consider the shortcomings of the investigation and trial that led to Blanton's conviction, to avoid the possibility--even the likelihood--of a rerun of the Willingham case, where evidence that Texas executed an innocent man is overwhelming.
His mother Anna Blanton gave an impassioned plea to a large crowd at the 10th annual Abolish the Death Penalty March in Austin, Texas, where she pleaded that Governor Rick Perry be held accountable. Here's a video of her address:
Rick Perry's phone number is 512-463-2000. Call him up and urge him to save Reggie Blanton.
1 Comments:
A sad update: Reginald Blatnton was executed on October 27, 2009. He was pronounced dead at 6:21 p.m. He was the 19th inmate executed in Texas this year.
After he was strapped to the death-chamber gurney, Blanton insisted he was wrongly convicted.
"Carlos was my friend," he said. "I didn't murder him. What's happening right now is an injustice. This doesn't solve anything. This will not bring back Carlos."
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