The Texas Supreme Court ruled that a legislative subpoena cannot halt a scheduled execution, allowing Robert Roberson’s execution to proceed. While the Court acknowledged the House committee’s right to seek Roberson’s testimony, it stipulated that the subpoena must not inherently block the execution. Lawmakers maintain their intent to gather Roberson’s testimony regarding his 2002 conviction for his daughter’s death, citing a 2013 law allowing challenges based on advances in forensic science. The Attorney General’s office, however, disputes the lawmakers’ claims, and the timing and manner of any further attempts to obtain testimony remain unclear.
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Edgar Barrientos-Quintana, wrongfully convicted of murder in 2009 and sentenced to life in prison, has finally been released after 16 years. A conviction review unit found the prosecution had withheld exculpatory evidence, including unreliable eyewitness testimony and a flawed photo lineup, and that Barrientos-Quintana’s defense attorneys failed to properly represent him. Judge John McBride vacated the conviction, citing a lack of a fair trial, and the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office dismissed all charges. While nothing can compensate for the lost years, Barrientos-Quintana, his family, and his legal team are overjoyed at his release and hope for a brighter future.
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A federal judge has granted a stay of execution to Thomas Creech, an Idaho inmate scheduled to be put to death next week. This comes after Creech survived a botched execution attempt in February, where authorities were unable to establish an IV line despite multiple attempts. Creech’s attorneys argued that another execution would constitute cruel and unusual punishment and violate double jeopardy principles. The judge’s decision grants a reprieve while the court further considers Creech’s appeal, with a supplemental brief due by Friday. This stay effectively suspends preparations for a second execution, as the current death warrant is set to expire on Wednesday.
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Fox News co-hosts Dana Perino and Greg Gutfeld expressed support for the death penalty for prosecutors involved in Donald Trump’s various criminal cases. These remarks came amidst the news that the Department of Justice plans to wind down Trump’s federal cases before his inauguration. While acknowledging that Trump’s legal battles did not impede his presidential victory, Perino suggested that these cases actually galvanized his base, potentially contributing to his success. Notably, Trump’s legal troubles extend beyond the federal level, with ongoing state cases in New York and Georgia, for which he cannot pardon himself.
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Twenty-nine minors, aged between 14 and 17, are facing the death penalty in Nigeria after participating in a protest against the country’s cost-of-living crisis. The protesters were charged with multiple felony counts, including treason. Other minors were also charged, but four collapsed in court due to exhaustion. The accused were each granted bail but have yet to meet the strict conditions set. Lawyers and advocates have drawn attention to the fact that the Child Rights Act does not allow children to be subject to criminal proceedings and sentenced to death.
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South Carolina executed Richard Moore, a black man convicted of murder, after the Supreme Court denied his appeal claiming prosecutors unjustly excluded black people from his trial’s jury. Moore, 59, killed James Mahoney, a convenience store clerk, in a 1999 robbery. His attorneys argued that he had killed Mahoney in self-defence. This was the second execution in South Carolina since the state resumed capital punishment after a 13-year pause due to difficulties obtaining lethal injection drugs. Moore had requested clemency from Governor Henry McMaster, which was denied.
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I was a juror for a murder trial once, and the experience left me feeling uneasy about how our justice system operates, especially in cases where the evidence is not crystal clear. The trial I was a part of involved a father accused of murdering his own child based on what was later revealed to be outdated and debunked medical science, specifically related to Shaken Baby Syndrome. The doctor who conducted the autopsy claimed it was a homicide due to certain injuries, but upon further investigation, it was evident that the father may have been wrongfully accused. The lack of concrete evidence, conflicting testimonies, and the emotional toll it took on everyone involved made me question the reliability of our legal system in such cases.… Continue reading
The news of the Texas inmate being called to testify before a state committee just hours before his scheduled execution is a stark reminder of the flaws in our justice system. The uncertainty of his fate, the possibility of him being innocent, and the last-minute nature of the decision highlight the deep-seated issues within the system. It’s perplexing to see a state so adamant about government intervention in the form of capital punishment, despite claims of valuing small government.
The notion of executing a potentially innocent person flies in the face of justice and basic human rights. The rush to carry out a death sentence, even in the face of new evidence or doubts about guilt, is deeply troubling.… Continue reading
When asked about raising his kids, Trump went on an eight-minute rant calling for the death penalty. It’s a jarring response to a simple question that should have evoked warmth and humanity. Instead, Trump veered off into a disjointed monologue about fentanyl, China, and the death penalty for drug dealers. It’s a stark reminder of his inability to connect with the average American and his penchant for divisive and extreme rhetoric.
Trump’s fixation on the death penalty as a solution to drug-related offenses is concerning. The death penalty has never been a proven deterrent to crime, and its implementation is fraught with errors that can lead to irreversible consequences.… Continue reading
As a Texan and a believer in justice, the recent case surrounding the potential execution of a man for a ‘shaken baby’ death has left me feeling conflicted and deeply concerned. The facts of the case are complex and raise significant questions about the reliability of the evidence presented. The father, who has an 8th-grade education and autism, brought his daughter to medical professionals in the days leading up to her tragic death due to what was later diagnosed as pneumonia. Despite seeking medical care for his child, he found himself in a nightmare scenario where his daughter ultimately perished.
The crux of the matter lies in the allegations of ‘Shaken Baby Syndrome’, a highly controversial and debated diagnosis within the medical and legal communities.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker