Until recently the next ten days were scheduled to bring five executions. One has been stayed. Four more loom.
November 15 – Reginald Brooks in Ohio (includes a petition)
November 15 – Oba Chandler in Florida
November 16 – Guadalupe Esparza in Texas
November 18 – Paul Ezra Rhoades in Idaho
More details will follow as I find them.
See you along the Trail.
Filed under Capital Punishment, Death Penalty
DNA tests have exonerated a number of individuals “convicted” of crimes in recent years.
In Texas, Hank Skinner has asked for a test of DNA evidence that he believes will prove his innocence. So far, his request has been denied.
Now time is running out. On Wednesday, Texas will execute Hank Skinner.
Skinner was convicted in 1995 of the murders of Twila Busby, and her two sons – Randy Busby and Elwin Caler.
Questions have been raised about Skinner’s guilt.
A larger question looms: Why won’t Texas perform the DNA testing?
Individuals can join former judges, prosecutors and law enforcement officers, along with current and former elected officials who have called Texas state officials not to execute Skinner until that DNA testing can be performed.
The National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty offers the opportunity to sign a petition.
I do not believe the state (any state) should execute individuals. I will continue to call for the abolition of the death penalty. But, I have signed the petition because I also believe that, if there are going to be executions, there should be as much certainty about their guilt as possible.
I pray for Hank Skinner and all who hold his fate.
I pray for Twila Busby, Randy Busby, and Elwin Caler and all who love them.
See you along the Trail.
Filed under Capital Punishment, Death Penalty, Human Rights
I grieve for police officer Hector Garza, for Jessica Garcia, and for all who love them. They were killed more than a decade ago. Officer Garza was responding to a domestic dispute.
Frank Garcia, Jessica’s husband, was convicted of the murders. The State of Texas will execute Frank Garcia today unless a last-minute appeal proves successful. Reports say that Frank Garcia abused Jessica and she was attempting to leave him when the murders occurred. They also suggest that he was a gang member.
The appeal, according to published reports on the San Antonio Express Web page, raise the question of Garcia’s mental capacities.
Little or no doubt. A history of abuse. The murder of a wife. The murder of a police officer acting in the line of duty. Tragic, horrific realities.
Still I wonder. Beyond revenge, what will be served by Frank Garcia’s execution. Texas’ use of the death penalty did not deter him. Why do we think it would deter anyone else? It will not bring back Hector Garza. It will not bring back Jessica Garcia. It will remove any possibility, however slim, of Garcia’s rehabilitation. It will send the message that violence is the right response to violence. It will exact an eye for an eye and lead our society further down the road of brutality.
I pray for Frank Garcia. I pray for Jessica Garcia and Hector Garza and those who love them. I pray for our country.
See you along the Trail.
Filed under Capital Punishment, Death Penalty, Human Rights
Along the Graybeard Trail 