Who do you trust in Texas?
by William Newmiller
Texas Governor Rick Perry (motto: "never saw a death sentence I didn't like") seems to be pulling out all the stops in his campaign to limit the political damage wrought by revelations that he's personally culpable in the execution of an innocent man. Cameron Todd Willingham's case took center-stage in the national debate on capital punishment after David Gann's feature in The New Yorker. Gann narrates a video summary of his article here:
Perry, faced with scientific evidence--evidence he says he read before giving the go-ahead to the execution--has now resorted to assassinating the character of the man he had killed. The Chicago Tribune reports today that "Gov. Rick Perry, seeking to defuse an election-season controversy over the 2004 execution of Cameron Todd Willingham, described Willingham on Wednesday as a 'monster' and 'bad man.'" I never knew Willingham, but I've known others I'd describe as "bad"--none of them committed arson. And, of course, that gets to one of principles we expect our criminal justice system to follow: people should be convicted for what they did, not for who they are.
Another principle to consider: forensic science should be applied consistently to determine guilt or innocence. Today's Dallas Morning News reveals a startling irony. Three years after Perry denied the validity of an exculpatory analysis of the fire that killed Willingham's children, Perry's general counsel, David Medina, and his wife were indicted for arson. Charges against the Medinas were dismissed when they hired experts who explained how the original arson investigation was flawed.
Rick Perry has now fired 4 of the 9 members of the Texas Forensic Science Commission, which had been scheduled to review the Willingham case. Since he's packed the commission with his own appointees, how much trust can anyone have in the objectivity of the commission should it once again take up the Willingham case?
Now might be the time to call for an independent review of the Governor's actions, not unlike the review conducted into the actions of former Illinois Governor Rod Blogojevich. Blogojevich, you may remember, was implicated in the selling of a Senate seat. At least he didn't kill anyone.
Perry, faced with scientific evidence--evidence he says he read before giving the go-ahead to the execution--has now resorted to assassinating the character of the man he had killed. The Chicago Tribune reports today that "Gov. Rick Perry, seeking to defuse an election-season controversy over the 2004 execution of Cameron Todd Willingham, described Willingham on Wednesday as a 'monster' and 'bad man.'" I never knew Willingham, but I've known others I'd describe as "bad"--none of them committed arson. And, of course, that gets to one of principles we expect our criminal justice system to follow: people should be convicted for what they did, not for who they are.
Another principle to consider: forensic science should be applied consistently to determine guilt or innocence. Today's Dallas Morning News reveals a startling irony. Three years after Perry denied the validity of an exculpatory analysis of the fire that killed Willingham's children, Perry's general counsel, David Medina, and his wife were indicted for arson. Charges against the Medinas were dismissed when they hired experts who explained how the original arson investigation was flawed.
Rick Perry has now fired 4 of the 9 members of the Texas Forensic Science Commission, which had been scheduled to review the Willingham case. Since he's packed the commission with his own appointees, how much trust can anyone have in the objectivity of the commission should it once again take up the Willingham case?
Now might be the time to call for an independent review of the Governor's actions, not unlike the review conducted into the actions of former Illinois Governor Rod Blogojevich. Blogojevich, you may remember, was implicated in the selling of a Senate seat. At least he didn't kill anyone.
2 Comments:
Motto: "Never saw a death sentence I didn't like." -Rick Perry, governor (R-TX))-
What kind of person is this politician? What does he lack in his soul that would make him human? He actually "likes" death sentences? It makes him feel good? Wouldn't he be diagnosed as a sociopath in a position of power that disguises his diabolical nature?
The 'monster' and 'bad man' resides in the Governor's office/mansion in the state of Texas. The idea of driving across the state of Texas is chilling. I thought Bush was criminal in his thoughts and actions. It now appears to be a required criteria for those running in any political office in Texas.
Unfortunately, the people of Texas are equally guilty of maniacal lust for death if they continue their support of evil in leadership.
The revelation of an innocent man being put to death should bring shock and shame upon any spiritual person.
Considering the amount of people being executed (murdered) in Texas, the death penalty frenzy must have been the real inspiration for the Texas chainsaw massacres.
Texas Governor Rick Perry has a lot to answer for in his actions and statements as they relate to the case of Todd Willingham. One is not required to be enamored with the character of any person who goes on trial for any crime they are accused of. Nor does the personal opinion of any individual matter. Many of us have preconceived notions or first impressions of people we meet or read about that we might continue to hold once we finally come to know an individual better. This is just human nature. Gov. Perry is holding on tight to his own opinion or rather "whatever he's been told" about whom Mr. WIllingham really was.
However, when you dealing with accusation of a crime or criminal prosecution of an individual, how one looks, how much beer one drinks, whether they had 10 affairs or even spit at their priest becomes irrelevant. It is well documented that Mr. Willingham wasn't your model citizen. Who among us can say we are the salt of the earth? He was not, as we have read and understand, a child murderer. It has now come to light that this was not an arson fire set by Mr. Willingham. The facts are irrefutable and well published. As word spreads across our country, Governor Perry must answer for the conduct of the individuals responsible for not seeing the facts clearly enough to stay this execution (facts refuting arson were available PRIOR to Mr. WIllingham's execution). He is playing the "cover my butt" game and sadly, when one doesn't take the higher road and proclaim the truth and reality in honest terms, it almost always comes back to destroy them.
I feel great sadness for Texas and it's good people who see this kind of mockery of their justice system. Being mocked as the Death Penalty mecca can't be pleasant and quite frankly, keeps me away even as a tourist. They need to think hard prior to the next election whether they want someone representing them that isn't able to apologize. Mr. WIllingham took what they dished out to him with only a plea to uncover the truth. Now that the truth is uncovered, maybe Gov. Perry can take it like a man and tell it.
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