TexasDeathPenaltyDevelopmentsin2016:TheYearinReview
ExecutiveSummary
TheTexasCoalitiontoAbolishtheDeathPenalty(TCADP)–astatewideadvocacyorganization
basedinAustin,Texas–publishesthisannualreporttoinformcitizensandelectedofficials
aboutissuesassociatedwiththedeathpenaltyduringthepastyear.
ThereportcitestheserecentdeathpenaltydevelopmentsinTexas:
• In2016,newdeathsentencesremainedattheirlowestlevelsincetheU.S.SupremeCourt
upheldthestate’srevisedcapitalpunishmentstatutein1976.Jurorscondemnedthree
individualstodeath,butrejectedthedeathpenaltyinafourthcase.
• Applicationofthedeathpenaltyremainsraciallybiased.Overthelastfiveyears,80%of
deathsentenceshavebeenimposedonpeopleofcolor.
• Useofthedeathpenaltyalsoremainsgeographicallyisolated.Justsevencountiesaccount
forapproximatelytwo-thirdsofallnewdeathsentencesinTexassince2012.
• Forthesecondconsecutiveyear,therewerenonewdeathsentencesinHarrisorDallas
Counties.
• TheStateofTexasputsevenpeopletodeathin2016,thelowestnumberofexecutionsin
twodecades.Texasaccountedformorethanone-thirdofallU.S.executions.
• OfthesevenmenputtodeathbytheStateofTexasin2016,twowereHispanicandfive
werewhite.Itwasthefirsttimesince1984,andonlythesecondyearsincetheresumption
ofexecutionsin1982,thatnoAfrican-AmericanswereexecutedinTexas.
• NearlyhalfoftheindividualsexecutedbytheStateofTexasoverthelasttwoyearshada
significantimpairment.Thisincludesoneindividualwithintellectualdisabilities,onewith
severementalillness,andsixmenwhowereundertheageof21atthetimeoftheircrimes;
oneindividualwhowas19atthetimeofthecrimealsosufferedfromseverementalillness.
• TheTexasCourtofCriminalAppealsstayedsevenexecutionsandremandedseveralother
casesforconsiderationofclaimsrelatedtofaultyforensicscienceandprosecutorial
misconduct,amongotherissues.
• Since2012,atotalof26individualshavebeenremovedfromdeathrowinTexasfor
reasonsotherthanexecution.
• TheU.S.SupremeCourtconsideredtwodeathpenaltycasesfromTexasduringitsOctober
Term2016;bothcasesoriginatedinHarrisCounty.
1
TableofContents
Introduction.........................................................................................................................3
DeathSentences..................................................................................................................3
Executions............................................................................................................................7
StaysofExecutionandDatesWithdrawn............................................................................10
ReducedSentencesandIndividualsNoLongeronDeathRow............................................12
WrongfulConvictions...........................................................................................................14
OtherCaseDevelopments...................................................................................................15
U.S.SupremeCourtDevelopments......................................................................................17
PublicOpinion......................................................................................................................18
NewVoices...........................................................................................................................18
Conclusion............................................................................................................................19
Table1:NewDeathSentencesin2016................................................................................20
Table2:Executionsin2016..................................................................................................20
TexasDeathPenaltyDevelopmentsin2016:TheYearinReviewisavailableonlineat
www.tcadp.org.ContactTCADPExecutiveDirectorKristinHoulé[email protected]
receiveacopydirectlybyemail.
2
Introduction
ThedeathpenaltylandscapehasshifteddramaticallyinTexasoverthelast15years,mirroring
nationaltrends.Deathsentenceshavedroppedfromapeakof48newdeathsentencesin1999
tothefewestsentencesonrecordforthesecondconsecutiveyear.WhileTexasremainedone
ofthenation’smostactivedeathpenaltystates,thenumberofexecutionscarriedoutthisyear
wasthelowestintwodecades.
Thisreportpresentsinformationonnewdeathsentences,executions,andstays;reduced
sentences;judicialdevelopments;publicopinion;andotherissuesaffectingtheadministration
ofjusticeinTexas.
DeathSentences
NewDeathSentences
In2016,newdeathsentencesremainedattheirlowestnumbersincetheU.S.SupremeCourt
upheldTexas’revisedcapitalpunishmentstatutein1976.Juriescondemnedthreeindividuals
todeath,accordingtodatacompiledfrommediasourcesandtheTexasDepartmentofCriminal
Justice(TDCJ).1Deathsentencespeakedin1999,whenjuriessent48peopletodeathrow.
New death sentences in Texas
3
2016
2012
9 11 3
2015
9
2014
8
2013
8
2011
2009
2008
2002
2001
2000
1999
0
28 24
14 11 14 12 9
2007
37
2006
26
2005
34
20
2004
48
2003
40
2010
60
Foronlythesecondtimeinthelast10years,noonewasresentencedtodeathinTexasin
2016.
DeathSentencesbyCounty
Atotalof19Texascountiesimposeddeathsentencesinthelast5years;ofthese,only6
countieshavedonesointhelast2years.2In2016,Kaufman,Tarrant,andWebbCounties
wereresponsibleforthethreenewdeathsentences:
1
MarkAnthonyGonzalezwasreceivedondeathrowin2016.ABexarCountyjurysentencedhimtodeathin
October2015butthejudgeconductedacompetencyhearingbeforefinalizingthesentenceinJanuaryofthisyear.
Hisdeathsentenceiscountedaspartofthetotalfor2015.
2
Viewmapsofnewdeathsentencesbycountyfrom2012to2016athttp://tcadp.org/get-informed/deathsentences-by-county/2012-2016-new-death-sentences/andfrom1974to2016athttp://tcadp.org/getinformed/death-sentences-by-county/1974-2016-county-map/.
3
• OnMay5,2016,aWebbCountyjurysentencedDemondBluntsontodeath;itwasthefirst
deathsentenceinTexasthisyearandthefirstinWebbCountyin25years.3Bluntsonwas
convictedofthe2012shootingdeathsofhis21-month-oldson,Devian,andhisgirlfriend's6year-oldson,JaydenThompson.AccordingtotheTexasTribune,thejurydeliberatedfor
twelvehoursovertwodaysbeforehandingdownthesentence.4
• AKaufmanCountyjurysentencedCharlesBrownlowtodeathonMay20,2016.Hewas
convictedofcapitalmurderfortheOctober28,2013slayingofstoreclerkLuisGerardoLealCarilloinTerrell,Texasduringakillingspreethatalsotookthelivesofhismother,Mary
Brownlow;hisaunt,BelindaYoungWalker;KelleyeLynettePrattSluder;andJasonMichael
Wooden.ThejurywasnotpersuadedbytestimonypresentedbythedefensethatBrownlow
isintellectuallydisabledandsuffersfrompsychiatricproblems.ItcostKaufmanCounty
approximately$475,000forexpertwitnesstestimonyalone.5
• ATarrantCountyjurysentencedAmosWellsIIItodeathonNovember18,2016.Hewas
convictedofkillinghispregnantgirlfriend,ChaniceReed,22;hermother,AnnetteReed,39;
andher10-year-oldbrother,EddieMcCuin,onJuly1,2013inFortWorth.Wellsrefusedto
allowhisattorneystopresentanyevidenceduringtheconvictionphaseofhistrial.6
Thefollowingsevencounties–whichconstitutelessthan3%ofall254countiesinTexas–
accountforapproximatelytwo-thirdsofallnewdeathsentencessince2012.
Texas’HighestDeathSentencingCountiesSince2012
TotalSince
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Total2012-2015
1974
Harris
0
1
4
0
0
5
294
Dallas
2
3
0
0
0
5
107
Tarrant
2
0
1
0
1
4
74
7
McLennan
1
1
1
0
0
3
18
Smith
1
0
0
1
0
2
24
8
Brazos
1
0
0
1
0
2
17
Kaufman
0
0
1
0
1
2
3
Total
7
5
7
2
2
23
537
AllTXCounties
9
9
11
3
3
35
1,095
3
4
WebbCountyjurieshavesentencedtwootherindividualstodeathbutbothwerelaterremovedfromdeathrow.
“WebbCountySeesRareDeathSentence,TexasTribune,May5,2016
5
“KaufmanCountyleftwith$475Ktabaftermassmurdertrial,”WFAA,July26,2016
“DeathsentenceforFortWorthmanwhokilledpregnantgirlfriend,2others,”FortWorthStar-Telegram,
November18,2016
7
TheTexasCourtofCriminalAppealsreversedthisconvictionanddeathsentenceonDecember7,2016.Seepage
16ofthisreportfordetails.
8
StanleyGriffinwasremovedfromdeathrowthisyear.Seepage13fordetails.
6
4
AmongthehighestdeathsentencingcountiesinTexas,therewereseveralnoteworthy
developmentsin2016:
• Forthesecondconsecutiveyear,jurorsinHarrisandDallasCountiesdidnotsentence
anyonetodeathinanewcase.Prosecutorsinthosecountiesdidnottryanycasesinvolving
thedeathpenaltyin2016.
• ThepunishmenthandeddowntoAmosWellsIIIinNovember2016wasthefirstnewdeath
sentenceimposedbyaTarrantCountyjurysinceMay2014.Adeath-qualifiedjuryrejected
thedeathpenaltyforGabrielArmandarizinhis2015trial.
BothHarrisandDallasCountieswerecitedas“outliercounties”inatwo-partreportfromthe
FairPunishmentProjectatHarvardLawSchool.TooBrokentoFix:AnIn-depthLookat
America’sOutlierDeathPenaltyCounties,releasedinAugustandOctober2016,examineshow
thedeathpenaltyisoperatinginthehandfulofcountiesacrossthecountrythatarestillusing
it.Thereporthighlightstheextremegeographicisolationofthedeathpenalty:ofthe3,143
countiesorcountyequivalentsintheUnitedStates,only16—oronehalfofonepercent—
imposedfiveormoredeathsentencesbetween2010and2015.
Examining10yearsofcourtopinionsandrecordsfrom16“outliercounties”in7states
(Alabama,Arizona,California,Florida,Louisiana,Nevada,andTexas),TooBrokentoFixanalyzes
allofthenewdeathsentenceshandeddowninthesejurisdictionssince2010.Itfindsthat
thesecountiesareplaguedbypersistentproblemsofoverzealousprosecutors,ineffective
defenselawyers,andracialbias.Suchsystemicproblemshaveledtotheconvictionofinnocent
peopleandtheimpositionofexcessivelyharshpunishmentsonpeoplewithsignificant
impairments,includingthosewithintellectualdisabilitiesorseverementalillnesses.
ThetwoTexascountiescitedinthereport–HarrisandDallas–togetherhavesentmorethan
400peopletodeathrowsince1974andaccountfor181executions.
DeathSentencesbyRace
AllthreemensentencedtodeathinTexasthisyearareAfrican-American.Overthelastfive
years,80%ofdeathsentenceshavebeenimposedonpeopleofcolor;morethan60%ofthese
deathsentenceswereimposedonAfrican-Americandefendants.
NewDeathSentencesbyRaceofDefendant
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 TotalSentencesbyRace
African-American
7
7
5
0
3
22
Hispanic
1
1
2
1
0
5
Asian
0
0
0
1
0
1
TotalPeopleofColor
8
8
7
2
3
28
White
1
1
4
1
0
7
TotalSentences
9
9
11
3
3
35
5
InTexas’highestsentencingcounties,thesepatternsofracialbiasareevenmorepronounced:
• FifteenofthelasteighteendefendantssentencedtodeathinHarrisCountyareAfricanAmericanandtheotherthreeareHispanic.Jurorsrejectedthedeathpenaltyintwoother
trialsinvolvingHispanicdefendants(onein2008andonein2015).Thelastdeathsentence
soughtandimposedonawhitedefendantinHarrisCountycameinNovember2004,when
serialkillerAnthonyShorewassenttodeathrow.
• AllninemensentencedtodeathinDallasorTarrantCountysince2012areAfricanAmerican.
WhileAfrican-Americanscompriseonly12.5%ofthepopulationofTexas,theyconstitute43.8%
ofdeathrowinmates,accordingtoTDCJ.Hispanicscomprise27.3%ofindividualsondeathrow
(38.6%ofthepopulationofTexas),andwhitescomprise26.9%(43.5%oftheTexas
population).9
AsofNovember2,2016,TDCJcounted242deathrowinmates,whichincludes6women.This
remainsthesmallestTexasdeathrowpopulationsince1987.Morethanone-thirdofthese
individualswereconvictedinHarrisCounty.10Texashasthethird-largestdeathrowpopulation
inthenation,afterCalifornia(750)andFlorida(384).Texas’deathrowpopulationpeakedin
2000,whenmorethan450individualswereawaitingexecution.
JuryRejections
JuryVerdicts2015-2016
Overthelasttwoyears,jurieshaverejectedthe
deathpenaltyinnearlyasmanycasesasthey
imposedit.Therewasonerejectionbyadeath5
qualifiedjuryin2016:
6
• OnJune15,2016,ajuryinBellCounty
deadlockedinitsdeliberationsonwhetherto
DeathSentences
sentenceDavidRisnertodeathforthe2014
LifewithoutParole
murderofLittleRiver-AcademyPoliceChiefLee
Dixon.Risner,aformerpoliceofficer,wasconvictedofcapitalmurderonJune6.Hewas
sentencedtolifeinprisonwithoutthepossibilityofparoleafteratwo-monthlongtrial.
AccordingtotheTexasTribune,“bothprosecutorsanddefenseattorneysagreedthatRisner
sufferedfrompost-traumaticstressdisorderandatraumaticbraininjury”afterspending
timeinIraqduringthewaronacontractjob.11ItwasthefirstdeathpenaltytrialinBell
Countysince2007.
9
Seehttp://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/death_row/dr_gender_racial_stats.htmlformoreinformation.
TDCJcounts83inmatesfromHarrisCountyasofNovember2,2016.
11
“TexasManEscapesDeathSentenceinPoliceChief'sMurder,”TexasTribune,June15,2016
10
6
Lastyear,juriesrejectedthedeathpenaltyinfourcapitalmurdercases.Theyimposedthree
newdeathsentencesstatewide.Since2010,death-qualifiedjurieshaverejectedthedeath
penaltyinatleast19capitalmurdertrialsinTexas.
U.S.Executionsin2016
Executions
Georgia
9
TheStateofTexasexecutedsevenpeoplein2016,the
Texas
7
lowestnumberofexecutionsintwodecades.Therewas
Alabama
2
anunusualsix-monthgapinexecutions,fromApril6to
Florida
1
October5,2016.
Missouri
1
Total
20
Texasaccountedformorethanone-thirdofallU.S.
executions(7outof20),but,forthefirsttimesince2002,itwasnotthenation’sbusiest
executionchamber.12Atotaloffivestateswereresponsibleforallexecutionscarriedoutthis
year.
50
30
20
20
0
35
37
40
10
Texas Executions
40
3
33
17
24 23
19
24 26
18
24
17
16
13 15
10
13
7
TheStateofTexashasexecutedatotalof538peoplesince1982;279oftheseexecutions
occurredduringtheadministrationofformerGovernorRickPerry(2001-2014),morethanany
othergovernorinU.S.history.ExecutionspeakedinTexasin2000,when40peoplewereputto
death.
Severalofthemenexecutedin2016werebarelylegaladultsatthetimeoftheircrimes.
GustavoGarciawas18yearsoldatthetimeoftheoffense,whilePabloVasquezwas20years
old.A2005rulingbytheU.S.SupremeCourtprohibitsthedeathpenaltyforthoseunderage
18atthetimeofthecrime.13TheStatealsoputtodeathindividualswithevidenceofsevere
mentalillness,aswellassomeonewhowaivedhisappeals.
NearlyhalfoftheindividualsexecutedbytheStateofTexasoverthelasttwoyearshada
significantimpairment.Thisincludesoneindividualwithintellectualdisabilities,onewith
severementalillness,andsixmenwhowereundertheageof21atthetimeoftheircrimes;
oneindividualwhowas19atthetimeofthecrimealsosufferedfromseverementalillness.
12
13
In2014,TexasandMissourieachcarriedout10executions,thehighestnumberinthenationthatyear.
Roperv.Simmons,543U.S.551(2005)
7
Ofthoseexecuted,JamesFreemanservedonlyeightyearsondeathrow,whileCoyWesbrook
served18yearsandGustavoGarciaserved24years.Theaverageamountoftimespenton
deathrowforallofthemenexecutedin2016was14.5years.
• TheStateofTexascarriedoutitsfirstexecutionoftheyearonJanuary20,puttingRichard
Mastersontodeathforthe2001murderofDarinHoneycuttinHouston.TheTexasCourtof
CriminalAppealsandtheU.S.SupremeCourtdeniedhisrequestsforastayofexecution.
OneofthoseappealschallengedtheconstitutionalityofanewTexaslawthatconcealsthe
identityofanypersonorentityprovidingthedrugsusedinlethalinjections.Thelawwas
passedbythe84thTexasLegislatureandwentintoeffectonSeptember1,2015.
Otherappealschallengedthetestimonyofmedicalexaminer,PaulShrode,whoconducted
anautopsyofHoneycuttanddeclaredhiscauseofdeathtobestrangulation.Masterson’s
attorney,GregoryGardner,arguedthatHoneycuttdiedofaheartattack.Shrodewas
disciplinedbytheHarrisCountyMedicalExaminer’sOfficeforwronglydeterminingacause
ofdeaththesameyearheconductedHoneycutt’sautopsy.In2010,Shrodewasfiredfrom
hispositionasElPasoCountyChiefMedicalExaminerafteradeathrowinmateinOhiowas
grantedclemencywhenissuesrelatedtoShrode’stestimonyinthecasecametolight.
• OnJanuary27,theStateofTexasexecutedJamesFreemanforthemurderofGameWarden
JustinHurstafterapolicechasein2007inWhartonCounty.Freeman’s2008trialwasthe
firstdeathpenaltycaseinWhartonsince1979,andhewasthefirstpersonfromthat
countytobeexecuted.Freeman’slawyersarguedthattheirclientdidnothaveahistoryof
violenceanddidnotposea“futuredanger,”thefirstissuejurorsinTexascapitalmurder
trialsmustaddresswhenconsideringwhethertoimposethedeathpenalty.
• OnFebruary16,theStateofTexasputGustavoGarciatodeathfortherobberyandmurder
ofCraigTurskiinPlano(CollinCounty)in1990.Garcia,whowas18yearsoldatthetimeof
thecrime,spentmorethan24yearsondeathrow.Hereceivedanewsentencinghearing
in2000afterthen-TexasAttorneyGeneralJohnCornyndiscoveredthatpsychologistWalter
QuijanohadtestifiedatGarcia’soriginalsentencingtrialthatHispanicsweremorelikelyto
poseafuturedangertosociety.QuijanosaidhecametothatbeliefbecauseHispanicswere
overrepresentedintheprisonpopulation.
GarciaandfiveotherindividualswhosedeathsentenceshadbeeninfluencedbyQuijano’s
impropertestimonyweregrantednewsentencingtrials.Garciawasagainsentencedto
deathin2001,accordingtotheAttorneyGeneral’soffice.SeeU.S.SupremeCourt
Developmentsonpage17forinformationaboutthedeathpenaltycaseofDuaneBuck,in
whichDr.Quijanoalsoprovidedrace-basedtestimony.
• AdamWardwasputtodeathonMarch22aftertheU.S.SupremeCourtrejectedhisappeal
forastayofexecution.Ward’sattorneysarguedheshouldbeexemptfromexecution
basedonevidenceofhisseverementalillness.HewasconvictedofkillingCommerceCode
EnforcementOfficerMichael“PeeWee”Walkerin2005inHuntCounty.Wardwas22years
oldatthetimeofthecrime;hehadalong,documentedhistoryofmentalhealthissues.
8
AlthoughstateandfederalcourtsacknowledgedWard’smentalillness,theystilldeemed
himeligibleforthedeathpenalty.
• OnOctober5,BarneyFullerwasputtodeathforthe2003murdersofhisneighbors,Nathan
andAnnetteCopeland,inHoustonCounty.Fullerpledguiltytothecrimeandwaived
furtherappealsinhiscase,orderinghisattorneysnottofileanyadditionallegal
challenges.InJune,afederaljudgedeemedhimcompetenttodrophisappeals.Fullerwas
58yearsold.ItwasthefirsttimeanindividualconvictedinHoustonCountywasputto
death.
AccordingtotheDeathPenaltyInformationCenter,144people–including30individualsin
Texas–havebeenexecutedintheUnitedStatesaftergivinguptheirappeals.This
representsjustunder10%ofU.S.executionssince1977.
SeeTable2onpage20foralistofallindividualsputtodeathin2016.
ExecutionsbyRace
OfthesevenmenputtodeathbytheStateofTexasin2016,twowereHispanicandfivewere
white.Itwasthefirsttimesince1984–andonlythesecondyearsincetheresumptionof
executionsin1982–thatnoAfrican-AmericanswereexecutedinTexas.Since1982,theState
ofTexashasexecuted236individualswhowerewhite,197whowereAfrican-American,101
whowereHispanic,and4whohadanotherracialidentity.
Collectively,fiveoftheexecutionsin2016involvedcaseswithwhitevictims,oneinvolveda
Hispanicvictim,andoneinvolvedthemurdersofawhitefemaleandaHispanicmale.14In
total,377executionsinTexasinvolvedcaseswithwhitevictims,87involvedHispanicvictims,
and72involvedAfrican-Americanvictims.Twoexecutionsinvolvedvictimsfromanother
race/ethnicgroup.
ExecutionsbyCounty
HarrisCountyaccountedfortwoexecutionsthisyear.Collin,Hidalgo,Houston,Hunt,and
Whartoneachwereresponsibleforoneexecution.HarrisCountyaloneaccountsfor126
executions,morethananystateexceptTexas.DallasCountyaccountsfor55executions,and
BexarCountyaccountsfor42.
Nineexecutionsalreadyhavebeenscheduledforthefirsthalfof2017.Eightinvolvecasesfrom
NorthTexas,includingfourfromTarrantCounty,threefromDallasCounty,andonefromCollin
County.
14
CoyWesbrookwasexecutedforthemurdersofonewhitefemaleandoneHispanicmale.
9
StaysofExecutionandDatesWithdrawn
Atotalof12individualsscheduledforexecutionin2016receivedreprieves,includingstays
grantedbythecourtsandthewithdrawal–and,insomecases,reschedulingof–execution
dates.
StaysofExecution
SevenstaysofexecutioncamefromtheTexasCourtofCriminalAppeals(CCA),thestate’s
highestcriminalcourt,whileonecame
fromafederalcourt.Fourofthesecases
StaysofExecutionGrantedBythe
involvewhitedefendants,twoinvolve
TexasCourtofCriminalAppeals
Hispanicdefendants,andoneinvolvesan 20
African-Americandefendant.Lastyear,
15
theCCAgrantedeightstaysofexecution.
10
18
• OnMay27,theCCAgrantedastayof
executiontoCharlesFlores,whowas
5
8
7
scheduledtobeputtodeathonJune2
2
1
0
0
forthe1998murderofElizabethBlack
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Total
inDallasCounty.Flores’conviction
hingedlargelyonaneyewitnesswhopolicehypnotizedandwhosetestimonyplacedhimat
thecrimescene.NophysicalorDNAevidenceconnectedFlorestothecrime.Flores,whois
Hispanic,hasspentmorethan17yearsondeathrow.Theco-defendantinthecase,
RichardChilds,whoiswhite,pledguiltytomurderandwasrecentlyparoledafterserving17
yearsofa35-year-sentence.TheCCAsentFlores’casebacktothetrialcourttoexamine
theuseofhypnosis.
• OnJune16,theCCAgrantedastayofexecutiontoRobertRoberson,whowasscheduledto
beputtodeathfivedayslaterforthe2002murderofhisdaughterinAndersonCounty.
Roberson’sattorneysarguedthathisconvictionwasbasedonjunkscience.TheCCAsent
thecasebacktothetrialcourttoexaminenewscientificfindingsregardingShakenBaby
Syndrome.Roberson,whohasconsistentlymaintainedhisinnocence,saidhisdaughter’s
deathwasrelatedtoaninjuryshesustainedafterfallingoutofherbed.
• TheCCAstayedtheexecutionofRobertPruettonAugust11pursuanttothepending
appealofDNAproceedingsinhiscase.PruettwasscheduledtobeexecutedonAugust23
despitesignificantdoubtsaboutthereliabilityofhisconviction.Hehassteadfastly
maintainedhisinnocenceinthemurderofCorrectionsOfficerDanielNagleinthe
McConnellUnitinBeeville,Texasin1999.Nophysicalevidenceconnectshimwiththe
crime,andrecentDNAanalysisofthemurderweaponrevealedaDNAprofilebelonging
neithertoPruettnortoOfficerNagle.TheStatestillhasnotanalyzedtheprofilefoundon
themurderweapon,whichcouldrevealtheidentityoftherealkiller.Inaddition,a2015
ordertoanalyzetheclothingwornbyOfficerNagleonthedayofhisdeathalsohasnot
beenfulfilled.
10
•
•
•
•
PruetthasreceivedthreeotherstaysofexecutiontoallowtimeforDNAtesting,andan
earlierexecutiondateofApril27,2016alsowasmodified.Theexecutionisstayeduntil
furtherorderoftheCourt.
OnAugust19,theCCAstayedtheexecutionofJeffWoodandremandedhiscasetothetrial
courtforconsiderationofhisclaimsrelatedtofalsetestimonyduringthesentencingphase
ofhisoriginaltrial.WoodwasscheduledtobeexecutedonAugust24eventhoughhedid
notkillanyone.HewasconvictedofcapitalmurderandsentencedtodeathunderTexas’
“lawofparties”afteranotherman,DanielReneau,robbedandkilledconveniencestore
clerkKrisKeeraninKerrvillein1996.Reneau,whowasexecutedin2002,committedthe
crimewhileWoodwassittinginatruckoutsidethebuilding.
OnAugust2,2016,Wood’sattorneysfiledapetitionforwritofhabeascorpusrequestinga
newsentencinghearingbasedonthefactthathisoriginalsentencinghearingwas
prejudicedbythefalseandmisleadingtestimonyofdiscreditedpsychiatrist,Dr.James
Grigson.Accordingtothepetition,duringthetrial,Dr.Grigsontestified–withoutpersonally
evaluatinghim–thatWood“certainly”wouldbecriminallyviolentinthefuturebasedona
hypotheticalgiventohimbytheprosecution.Ajurydeterminationoffuture
dangerousnessisrequiredinordertosentenceadefendanttodeathinTexas.
In1995,threeyearsbeforehetestifiedinWood’strial,Dr.Grigsonwasexpelledfromthe
AmericanPsychiatricAssociationandtheTexasSocietyofPsychiatricPhysiciansforflagrant
ethicalviolationsinvolvingthissameconduct.
TheCCAstayedtheexecutionofRolandoRuiz,whowasscheduledtobeexecuted
onAugust31(anearlierexecutiondateinJulyhadbeenreset).Itwasthethirdstaygranted
bytheCCAinAugust.Ruiz’sappealquestionedtheeffectivenessofhistrialcounselandhis
initialhabeascounsel.Theappealalsoquestionedtheconstitutionalityofexecutinghim
morethan20yearsafterhisconviction.TheCourtliftedthestayonNovember9after
decliningtoauthorizeasubsequentapplicationforwritofhabeascorpusinRuiz’scase.
OnSeptember2,theCCAstayedtheexecutionofRobertJennings.Scheduledtobe
executedonSeptember14,Jenningshasspentmorethan25yearsondeathrowforthe
murderofHoustonPoliceDepartmentViceOfficerElstonHowardduringanattempted
robberyin1988.TheCourtofferednoreasonforstoppingthepunishment,sayingonlythat
itshouldbehalted“pendingfurtherorderofthisCourt.”
TheCCAstayedtheexecutionofJohnBattagliaonDecember2.Battagliawasoriginally
scheduledtobeexecutedonMarch30,2016forthe2001murdersofhistwodaughters,
FaithandLiberty,ages9and6,inDallasCounty.The5thU.S.CircuitCourtofAppeals
grantedastayjusthoursbeforehisexecutionthatdayinordertogivehisattorneysmore
timetodevelopclaimstheirclientmaybementallyincompetentforexecution.
Battaglia’sexecutionwasresetforDecember7,andacompetencyhearingtookplacein
DallasinNovember.Despiteexperttestimonyfromthreepsychologistswhoevaluated
11
Battagliaanddeterminedheisnotfittobeexecutedduetoadelusionaldisorder,State
DistrictJudgeRobertBurnsruledonNovember18thatBattagliahasenoughunderstanding
ofhiscaseandhisimpendingexecutiontobeconsideredmentallycompetent.TheCCA
determined,however,thatafullbriefingontheappealiswarrantedinthiscaseand
orderedbothsidestofilebriefsonthecompetencyissuewithin60days.Battaglia’s
executionwasstayedpendingfurtherorderfromtheCourt.
ExecutionDatesWithdrawn
Statetrialcourtsmodifiedorwithdrewtheexecutiondatessetforsixindividualsin2016.As
notedabove,severalofthesedateswererescheduledbutthenstayedbytheCCAor
withdrawn/modifiedagain.
• TheMay11executiondateforTerryEdwardswasmodifiedtoOctober5andthen
rescheduledforJanuary26,2017.
• OnJuly6,aTexasstatedistrictjudgewithdrewtheexecutionorderforPerryEugene
Williams,whowasscheduledtobeputtodeathonJuly14forthe2000murderofHouston
medicalstudentMatthewCarter.Williams’executionwasdelayedindefinitelyafterstate
officialsfailedtoprovidetestingresultsforthepurityoflethalinjectiondrugs.Accordingto
stateofficials,thiswasthefirsttimeanexecutionwaspostponedforthisreason.Thestate
hadagreedtotestthepurityofthedrugstosettlealawsuitinvolvingWilliamsandanother
individualondeathrow,ThomasWhitaker.ThiswasWilliams’secondstayofexecution.In
September2015,hisexecutiondatewaswithdrawntoappointnewattorneystohiscase.
ReducedSentencesandIndividualsNoLongeronDeathRow
Fiveindividualsreceivedreducedsentencesandwereremovedfromdeathrowin2016.Two
otherindividualsdiedwhilestillinprison.
Since2012,atotalof26individualshavebeenremovedfromdeathrowinTexasdueto
reducedsentences(18),deathsincustody(7),orexonerations(1).Halfofthesecases
originatedinHarrisCounty.Duringthissametimeperiod,theStateexecuted61people.
NoLongeronDeathRow
2012-2016
70%
Death
Executions
30%
NoLongeronDeathRow
2012-2016
Death,Reduced
Sentences,
Exonorations
1
18
7
Reduced
Sentences
Exonorations
12
ReducedSentences
Thefollowingindividualsreceivedreducedsentencesin2016andwereremovedfromdeath
row;collectively,theyspent84yearsondeathrow.
• OnJanuary27,theTexasCourtofCriminalAppeals(CCA)determinedthatStanleyGriffin
shouldreceiveanewpunishmenthearingafterfindingtherewasnotenoughevidenceto
supportthechargeofcapitalmurder.GriffinwassentencedtodeathinBrazosCountyfor
the2010murderofJenniferHailey.Henowwillfacefiveyearstolifeinprisonforthe
crime;hiscasehasbeenremandedtoBrazosCounty.
• ThedeathsentenceofChristianOlsenwascommutedtolifeinprisonwithoutparoleandhe
wasremovedfromdeathrowonFebruary2.Olsen,now28,wasconvictedandsentenced
todeathin2009forkillinghisneighbor,68-year-oldEttaJeanWestbrook,inBryantwo
yearsearlier.TheCCAoverturnedhisdeathsentencein2012.Prosecutorsoptednotto
seekanotherdeathsentencebecauseofnewdetailsthathademergedinthecase.
AccordingtoanewsreleasefromtheBrazosCountyDistrictAttorney’sOffice,severalitems
ofbiologicalevidencehadbeenmishandledbythecourtreporter.15Also,akeywitness–
Olsen’sgirlfriend,whowas20yearsolderthanhim–committedsuicideinjailinMay2015.
•
•
•
HectorGarciawasresentencedtolifeinprisononFebruary4aftertheCCAoverturnedhis
punishment.Hewasconvictedofkillinga14-year-oldboyduringaconveniencestore
robberyinEdinburgin1987.Garciawastriedandconvictedin1990andspentmorethan
25yearsondeathrow.
RogerMcGowenwasremovedfromdeathrowonApril13afterhissentencewasreduced
tolife.Hewasconvictedofkilling67-year-oldMarionPantzerduringabarrobberyin
Houstonin1986,andhespent29yearsondeathrow.TheU.S.CourtofAppealsforthe
FifthCircuitorderedanewpunishmenttrialforMcGowenin2012afterdeterminingthat
jurorswerenotaffordedtheopportunitytoproperlyconsidermitigatingevidenceinhis
case.AnearlierrulingbytheU.S.SupremeCourtinthecaseofJohnnyPaulPenry
determinedthatjurorsmusthaveanopportunitytoconsidermitigatingevidenceinthe
punishmentphaseofdeathpenaltytrials.AccordingtotheHoustonChronicle,thisbrought
almost20casesbacktoHarrisCountyforreconsideration.16
JoseMartinezwasremovedfromdeathrowonJuly11aftertheCCAagreedwithatrial
court’sfindingsthatheisintellectuallydisabledandtherebyineligibleforthedeathpenalty.
TheCourtreducedhissentencetolifeinprison.Hewasconvictedofkilling68-year-old
EsperanzaPalomoandher4-year-oldgranddaughter,Amanda,duringa1995burglaryat
herhomeinMissioninHidalgoCounty.Martinezwas18yearsoldatthetime.Hespent
morethan19yearsondeathrow.
15
“Bryanmanoriginallygivendeathpenaltyisresentencedtolifeinprison,”WTAW,February3,2016
16
“NewjuryreturnsHarrisCountymantodeathrowfor1987slaying,”HoustonChronicle,November21,2014
13
Heisatleastthe15thpersontoberemovedfromdeathrowinTexassince2002in
accordancewiththeU.S.SupremeCourtdecisionAtkinsv.Virginia,whichprohibitsthe
deathpenaltyforpersonswithintellectualdisabilities.
DeathsinPrison
• JackSmithdiedofnaturalcausesattheEstelleUnitonApril8attheageof78.Hewasthe
oldestpersonondeathrowinTexas,andoneofthestate’slongest-servingdeathrow
inmates.Smithwassentencedtodeathin1978forshootingRoyA.Deputter,whowas
tryingtostophimfromrobbingaHoustonconveniencestore.Hisaccomplice,JeromeL.
Hamilton,receivedalifesentenceandtestifiedagainstSmith.Smithwasburiedinthe
TexasDepartmentofCriminalJustice'sCaptainJoeByrdCemeteryafterhisbodywent
unclaimed.AccordingtotheAssociatedPress,onlythreepeoplestillondeathrowhave
beentherelonger.
• MaxSoffar,whospent35yearsonTexas’deathrow,diedofcomplicationsfromliver
canceronApril24.TheU.S.CourtofAppealsfortheFifthCircuitwasscheduledtohear
oralargumentinhiscase,includingevidencethatmighthaveoverturnedhisconviction,just
twodayslater.Hewas60yearsold.
NophysicalevidenceconnectedSoffartothemurdersofthreepeopleinabowlingalleyin
Houstonin1980.Healsoborenoresemblancetothedescriptionoftheperpetrator
providedbyeyewitnessandsurvivingvictim,GregGarner.Soffar’sconvictionanddeath
sentencehingedsolelyonaconfessionhegavetopolice–oneofthreeinconsistent
statementsheprovidedafterthreedaysofintenseinterrogation.AccordingtotheNational
RegistryofWrongfulConvictions,falseconfessionshaveplayedarolein12%of
exonerationsnationwide.Substantialevidencepointingtowardsanalternativesuspect,
PaulDennisReid,wasneverconsideredbyajury.
Soffar’sattorneysfromtheACLUandthelawfirmKirklandEllisaskedtheTexasBoardof
PardonsandParolestorecommendthen-GovernorRickPerrycommuteSoffar’sdeath
sentencesothathecouldlivehisfinaldaysathome.Manyprominentindividuals,including
formerdistrictattorneys,judges,faithleaders,formerTexasGovernorMarkWhite,and
formerFBIDirectorWilliamS.SessionssupportedSoffar’sclemencypetition.TheTexas
BoardofPardonsandParolesdeniedthepetition,citingtheabsenceofanexecutiondate.
WrongfulConvictions
OnApril7,2016,TexasStateComptrollerGlennHegarrejectedAlfredDewayneBrown’s
applicationfor$2millionincompensationforthedecadehespentondeathrowasaninnocent
man.AccordingtotheHoustonChronicle,“HegarsaidBrown’sclaimdoesnotmeetthe
mandatoryrequirementsunderTexaslawbecausehehasneverbeenformallydeterminedto
be‘actuallyinnocent’….”17BrownwasreleasedfromprisoninJune2015aftertheHarris
CountyDistrictAttorney’sOfficedismissedallchargesagainsthim.Hisattorneysplantoappeal
17
“Comptroller:Formerdeathrowinmatenoteligibleforexonerationfunds,”HoustonChronicle,April7,2016
14
theComptroller’sdecision.Brownisthe13thpersontobeexoneratedfromdeathrowinTexas.
Nationwide,156peoplehavebeenexoneratedfromdeathrowssince1973.
OtherCaseDevelopments
Thereweresignificantdevelopmentsinseveralotherdeathpenaltycasesin2016:
•
•
•
•
InApril,aBrazosCountyjudgedeemedMarcusDrueryincompetenttobeexecuteddueto
evidenceofhisseverementalillness,whichpreventshimfromunderstandingwhyheis
beingpunished.Prosecutorsdidnotcontestthedecision.Thecourtlefttheoptionopenfor
Druerytobere-examinedinthefutureifhismentalhealthstatuschanges.Hefaced
imminentexecutionin2012beforereceivingastayfromtheTexasCourtofCriminal
Appeals(CCA).
InJune,prosecutorsinSmithCountydroppedcapitalmurderchargesagainstKerryMax
Cookinlightofnewevidencethatseverelyunderminedthecaseagainsthim–namely,the
falsetestimonyofthevictim’smarriedlover.ConvictedofkillingLindaJoEdwardsin1977
inTyler,Cookspent20yearsondeathrow.Facingafourthdeathpenaltytrialin1999,he
acceptedanAlfordplea(no-contestplea)andwasreleasedfromprison.Cookhas
consistentlymaintainedhisinnocence.
ProsecutorsinSmithCountyannouncedthattheyplannedtoopposeCook’sclaimofactual
innocence,which,ifgranted,wouldallowhimtoreceivecompensationforthetwodecades
hespentondeathrow.TheCCAultimatelywilldecidewhethertograntCook’sinnocence
claimandfullydismissthecharges.
OnJune15,theCCAissuedarulinginthecaseofJuliusMurphy,whowassentencedto
deathforthe1997killingof26-year-oldJasonErieinBowieCounty.TheCCA,whichgranted
MurphyastayofexecutiononOctober12,2015,remandedhiscasetothedistrictcourtin
BowieCountytoresolvetwoissues:1)didtheDistrictAttorney’sOffice“failtodisclose
threatsofprosecutionandpromisesofleniencytotheState’stwomainwitnesses”and2)
didtheState“unknowinglypresentfalsetestimonythroughoneofthesewitnesses.”
JudgeElsaAlcala,whowasappointedtotheCCAin2011bythen-Gov.RickPerry,agreed
withthedecisiontoorderalowercourttoconsideroverturningMurphy’sconviction.Ina
dissentingopinion,however,shechallengedtheCourt'srejection,withoutelaboration,of
Murphy'scontentionthat"evolvingstandardsofdecency"showthedeathpenaltyshould
bedeemedunconstitutional.SeemoreinNewVoicesonpage18.
Apost-convictionhearingtookplacethissummerinHoustoninthecaseofLindaCarty.
Carty,aBritishcitizenandnativeoftheCaribbeanislandofSt.Kitts,wassentencedtodeath
forplottingthe2001murderofherneighbor,JoanaRodriguez,inordertostealRodriguez’s
newbornbaby.TheCCAorderedthehearinginFebruary2015toreviewclaimsof
prosecutorialmisconductinhercase.
15
Duringthehearing,fourwitnessestestifiedthattheywerecoercedandthreatenedbytwo
HarrisCountyprosecutors.Theprosecutorsalsowereaccusedofdestroyingcasenotesand
emailsandhidingatleast18recordedwitnessstatementsfromCarty'soriginaldefense
team,chargestheydenied.
GalvestonCountyDistrictJudgeDavidE.Garnerpresidedoverthehearingasavisiting
judge.Afterconsideringallofthetestimony,heruledthattheevidencewasnotsufficient
towarrantanewtrialforCarty.JudgeGarnerfoundthattheevidencedidnotshowthat
prosecutorsknowinglyusedperjuredtestimony,failedtocorrectuntruetestimony,or
presentedmisleadingtestimonyattrial.18TheCCAwillreviewhisrulingandmakeafinal
determinationastowhethertograntanewtrial.
•
•
OnJune29,theCCAorderedadditionalfindingsrelatedtoRodneyReed’srequestforDNA
testingonsuchitemsasthemurderweapon.TheCourthaltedReed’sMarch5,2015
executiondatetoconsidernewevidencethatmayestablishhisinnocenceinthe1996
murderofStaceyStitesinBastropCounty.AccordingtotheAustinAmerican-Statesman,
theCourtorderedvisitingJudgeDougShavertodeterminewhethertheitemsareina
conditionthatallowsDNAtesting,whetheritislikelytheitemscontainbiologicalmaterial
thatcanbetested,andwhetherthechainofcustodyensuresthattheitemswerenot
“substituted,tamperedwith,replacedoraltered.”19
TheCCAreversedtheconvictionanddeathsentenceofAlbertLoveondirectappealon
December7.TheCourtfoundthatLove’stextmessageshadbeenseizedwithoutawarrant
andimproperlyadmittedasevidenceduringhis2013trial,andthattheerrorwasnot
harmless.Lovewasconvictedandsentencedtodeathin2013forthemurdersofKennan
HubertandTylerSneedtwoyearsearlierinWaco.Hewasthesecondoftwomen
convictedintheshootingdeaths.Love’strialwasmovedfromMcLennantoWilliamson
Countyduetomediacoverageoftheearliertrialofco-defendantRickyCummings.
AccordingtoareportissuedbyTexasDefenderServiceonSeptember20,2016,theCCAdid
notreverseasingleconvictioninadeathpenaltycaseondirectappealfrom2009through
2015.Inthatsix-yearperiod,theCCAaffirmedconvictionsanddeathsentencesin79cases,
andreverseddeathsentencesinjustthreecases.Thereport,LethallyDeficient:Direct
AppealsinTexasDeathPenaltyCases,uncoversmultipledeficitsincapitaldirectappeal
representationandcallsforreform.20
TheTexasCourtofCriminalAppealsremandedtwocasesforconsiderationofthemeritson
claimsthattheconvictionswerebasedonoutdatedscience,underArticle11.073:
•
OnMarch9,theCCAremandedthecaseofRigoberto“Robert”Avila,Jr.tothetrialcourt
forfurtherreviewofhisclaimthatnewlyavailablescientificevidenceinthefieldof
biomechanicsdemonstratesheislikelyinnocent,andthatfalsetestimonyfrom
18
“BritishwomanonTexasdeathrowshouldnotgetnewtrial,judgesays,”TheGuardian,September2,2016
“StatecourtwantsadditionalanswersinRodneyReedappeal,”AustinAmerican-Statesman,June29,2016
20
Seehttp://texasdefender.org/lethally-deficient-new-tds-report-texas-direct-appeal-process/.
19
16
prosecutionwitnessestaintedhistrial.Avila,whohasspent15yearsondeathrowand
facedmultipleexecutiondates,wasconvictedofcapitalmurderinElPasoin2000afterthe
deathofa19-month-oldchildwho,alongwithafour-year-oldchild,hadbeeninhis
care.AfullhearingonAvila’sclaimsisexpectedtobegininFebruary2017.
•
OnMarch23,theCCAremandedthecaseofRichardVasqueztoNuecesCountyforareview
onthemerits.TheCourthadgrantedastaytwodaysbeforehisscheduledexecutionon
April23,2015.Intheirappeal,Vasquez’sattorneyscontendednewresearchonShaken
BabySyndromeandheadinjuriesdebunkstestimonyfromexpertswhoappearedonbehalf
oftheprosecutionathis1999trial.
InthecaseofGarciaWhite,theCCAfoundthatArticle11.073,whichrequiresanapplicantto
showthat“hadthescientificevidencebeenpresentedattrial,onthepreponderanceofthe
evidencethepersonwouldnothavebeenconvicted,”doesnotapplytothesentencingphase
ofacapitalmurdertrial.Threejusticesdissentedfromtheopinion,whichwashandeddownon
November2.
JudgeBertRichardsonconcurredwiththeopinionbutobservedthat
…thisisaharshresult,particularlyinadeathpenaltycasewherethejuryisoftenasked
toevaluateexpertscientifictestimonyandscientificevidenceinassessingwhetherthe
deathpenaltyistheproperpunishment.Inmyopinion,Article11.073shouldhavebeen
writtentoapplytoboththeguiltandpunishmentphasesofatrial—atleastadeath
penaltytrial.21
JusticesHerveyandNewelljoinedhisconcurrence.
U.S.SupremeCourtDevelopments
TheU.S.SupremeCourtconsideredtwodeathpenaltycasesfromTexasduringitsOctober
Term2016;bothcasesoriginatedinHarrisCounty.
• OnOctober5,2016,theJusticesheardoralargumentdescribingracialbiasinthedeath
penaltycaseofDuaneBuck.BuckwascondemnedtodeathinHarrisCountyin1997after
hisowntrialattorneysinexplicablyintroducedtestimonyandareportfromapsychologist,
Dr.WalterQuijano,whostatedthatBuckwasmorelikelytobedangerousinthefuture
becauseheisblack.Buck’sattorneyarguedthattheuseofQuijano’stestimonywasin
directviolationofBuck’srighttoeffectiverepresentation.
• OnNovember29,2016,theCourtheardoralargumentinMoorev.Texas,acasethat
addressesTexas’sunscientificstandardfordeterminingwhetherapersonisintellectually
disabledandthereforeexemptfromexecution.Moorev.TexasaskstheCourttodecideifit
isunconstitutionalforTexas“toprohibittheuseofcurrentmedicalstandardson
21
http://www.search.txcourts.gov/SearchMedia.aspx?MediaVersionID=ef477243-c245-484f-94027562e3cfd703&coa=coscca&DT=OPINION&MediaID=fd839276-203c-4eb0-a934-4fd38a4b2836
17
intellectualdisability,andrequiretheuseofoutdatedmedicalstandards,indetermining
whetheranindividualmaybeexecuted.”
BobbyJamesMoorewasconvictedofkillingagrocerystoreemployeeduringabungled
robberyinHoustonin1980.Hewas20yearsoldatthetimeofhisconviction.Thetrialtook
placelessthanthreemonthsafterthecrime.Moorehasfacedtwoseriousexecutiondates
inhis35yearsondeathrow.
Rulingsinbothcasesareexpectedin2017.
PublicOpinion
OnApril25,2016,theKinderInstituteforUrbanResearchatRiceUniversityreleasedthe
resultsofitsHoustonAreaSurveyfor2016.Accordingtothesurvey,just27percentof
respondentsthinkthedeathpenalty,ratherthanlifeimprisonment,isthemostappropriate
punishmentforfirst-degreemurder,adropfrom39percentin2008.Thesurveyreportnotes:
Therecentrevelationsofdiscriminatorysentencing,innocentpersonsbeingfreedfrom
DeathRowjustbeforetheirscheduledexecutions,andbotchedlethalinjectionshave
beenerodingsupportforcapitalpunishment,andthecostsofseekingthedeathpenalty
ratherthanlifeimprisonmenthaverisendramatically.22
AnationalpollconductedbythePewResearchCenterandreleasedonSeptember29,2016
revealedthat49%ofAmericansfavorthedeathpenaltyforpeopleconvictedofmurder,while
42%opposeit.Supportforthedeathpenaltydropped7percentagepointssinceMarch2015
andnowstandsatitslowestlevelin40years.Also,forthefirsttimeindecades,independents
areaslikelytoopposetheuseofthedeathpenalty(45%)astheyaretofavorit(44%).The
shareofindependentswhosupportcapitalpunishmenthasfallen13pointssincelastyear
(from57%).
NewVoices
TexasCourtofCriminalAppealsJudge
InadissentingopinionissuedinJuneinthecaseofJuliusMurphy,JudgeElsaAlcalaoftheTexas
CourtofCriminalAppealsquestionedwhetherthedeathpenaltyisbeingappliedfairlyinTexas
andshouldstillbedeemedconstitutional.Citingracialdisparities,excessivedelays,andtherisk
oferror,JudgeAlcalalatertoldareporterwiththeAustinAmerican-Statesmanthatshe
believes“thepublicisnotawareoftheproblems”withthedeathpenalty.23JudgeAlcalaalso
issueddissentsinseveralotherdeathpenaltycasesraisingconcernsabouttheintegrityand
fairnessofpastconvictions.
22
http://kinder.rice.edu/uploadedFiles/Center_for_the_Study_of_Houston/53067_Rice_HoustonAreaSurvey2016_
Lowres.pdf
23
“TexasAppealsCourtJudgevoicesdoubtsondeathpenalty,”AustinAmerican-Statesman,June17,2016
18
CivicandReligiousOrganizations
Thisyear,anumberofreligiousandcivicorganizationsadoptedorreiteratedpositionscalling
fortheabolitionofthedeathpenalty.
• InJune,theNationalHispanicLeadershipAgenda,abi-partisancoalitionof40prominent
Latinoorganizations,endorsedabolitionofthedeathpenaltyaspartofitsPublicPolicy
Agenda.
• InAugust,theNationalHispanicCaucusofStateLegislators(NHCSL)passedaresolution
callingfortheendofthedeathpenaltyintheUnitedStates.Afterreviewingtheclear
evidenceofanti-Latinobiasintheapplicationofthedeathpenalty,thehighcoststo
taxpayers,anditsineffectivenessinreducingcrime,LatinolawmakerscalledonCongress
andallstatesandlocalitiestoimmediatelyrepealthedeathpenalty.
• Overthesummer,theRioTexas,CentralTexas,andNorthwestTexasAnnualConferences
oftheUnitedMethodistChurchpassedresolutionsattheirannualgatheringsreiterating
supportfortheChurch’slongstandingoppositiontothedeathpenalty.AllfiveUnited
MethodistConferencesinTexashavepassedsimilarresolutionsoverthelastthreeyears.
• Adoptedatthe2016StateConvention,theTexasDemocraticPartyPlatformretainedits
callforpassageoflegislationthatwouldabolishthedeathpenalty.Also,forthefirsttime,
thenational2016DemocraticPartyplatformendorsedabolitionofthedeathpenalty,
saying“ithasnoplaceintheUnitedStatesofAmerica.”
Conclusion
July2,2016markedthe40thanniversaryoftheU.S.SupremeCourtdecisionGreggv.
Georgia(1976),whichupheldthenewlycrafteddeathpenaltystatutesofseveralstates,
includingTexas,andpavedthewayfortheresumptionofexecutions.Fourdecadeslater,Texas
remainsoneofthenation’smostactivedeathpenaltystates.
Useofthedeathpenaltyhasdeclinedsignificantlyinrecentyears,however,asmeasuredby
bothnewdeathsentencesandexecutions.YetasthenumberofTexascountiesdevoting
resourcestocostlydeathpenaltytrialsdwindleseachyear,capitalpunishmentremainsracially
biasedandarbitrarilyapplied.Theriskofwrongfulconvictionscontinuestounderminethe
fairnessandaccuracyofthesystem,whilethecasesofindividualsscheduledforexecution
illustratethedeepflawsthatstillplagueourstate’scapitalpunishmentsystem.
TCADPurgesconcernedcitizensandelectedofficialsatthestateandcountylevelstoconfront
therealitiesofthisirreversiblepunishmentandreconsidertheefficacyandcostofthedeath
penaltyasameansofachievingjustice.
19
Table1:NewDeathSentencesin2016
Last
Name
First
Name
Dateof
Birth
Wells
Amos
8/20/1990
M
Black
Brownlow
Charles
09/16/1977
M
Black 05/23/2016 Kaufman 10/28/2013
Bluntson
Demond 11/25/1975
M
Black 05/10/2016
Gender Race
Date
Received
County
Dateof
Offense
N/A
Tarrant
7/1/2013
Webb
06/19/2012
Source:TexasDepartmentofCriminalJusticeandFortWorthStar-Telegram
Table2:Executionsin2016
Execution
Last
Name
First
TDCJ
Age
Name Number
538
Fuller
Barney 999481 58 10/05/2016 White Houston
537
Vasquez
Pablo 999297 38 04/06/2016 Hispanic Hidalgo
536
Ward
535
Wesbrook
534
Garcia
533
Freeman
532
Date
Race
Adam 999525 33 03/22/2016 White
Coy
999281 58 03/09/2016 White
County
Hunt
Harris
Gustavo 999018 43 02/16/2016 Hispanic Collin
James 999539 35 01/27/2016 White Wharton
Masterson Richard 999414 43 01/20/2016 White
Harris
Source:TexasDepartmentofCriminalJustice
20