Killer's Execution On Hold While Until Court Rules On Appeal

[Dennis Donovan]

Source: KPRC Houston

HUNTSVILLE, Texas -- The execution in Texas scheduled for Thursday evening is on hold until the U.S. Supreme Court rules on the case. The death warrant remains in effect until midnight Central time.
Attorneys for a black man set to die for a double slaying in Houston 16 years ago appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court and Texas Gov. Rick Perry to block the execution because a question about race was asked during the punishment phase of his capital murder trial.

Duane Buck, 48, faced lethal injection for fatally shooting his ex-girlfriend and a man in her apartment. In an appeal to the Supreme Court on Thursday and a letter to Perry, Buck's lawyers said a psychologist testified that black people were more likely to commit violence.

"The State of Texas should not condone any form of racial discrimination in the courtroom," attorney Katherine Black wrote Perry, urging the governor to use his authority to issue a one-time 30-day reprieve for Buck. "The use of race in sentencing poisons the legal process, undermines the reliability and fairness of the sentence, and breeds cynicism in the community toward the very institution entrusted with protecting the rights of all persons equally."

Read more: http://www.click2houston.com/news/29198950/detail.html

[hlthe2b]

1. What about Troy Davis?

Buck was clearly not given justice in terms of an unbiased process for sentencing and that should be addressed. But, Georgia's Troy Davis case seems very likely to involve an innocent man.

With the USSC take both cases? I sure as hell hope so.

[Tiggeroshii]

7. Considering the conviction was almost entirely based on witness testimony and nearly all the witness

es recanted their testimony, it's safe to say he was. I think Troy Davis has about another week left =\

[duhneece]

13. I called the Georgia Gov's office yesterday about Troy

I hope many of you call the GA Gov at 404-656-1776 and ask to halt the execution, please!

Former FBI Director is calling on the state of Georgia to halt the execution of death row inmate Troy Davis.

By William S. Sessions
Atlanta Journal-Constitution

As Troy Davis faces his fourth execution date on Sept. 21, many may assume that lingering doubts about the case have been resolved. This is far from true, and the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles — which has several new members since the Davis case last crossed its desks — has the daunting task of reviewing one of the most controversial cases the state has ever seen.

What quickly will become apparent is that serious questions about Davis’ guilt, highlighted by witness recantations, allegations of police coercion and a lack of relevant physical evidence, continue to plague his conviction. Last summer, an extraordinary hearing ordered by the U.S. Supreme Court to answer these questions instead left us with more doubt.

At Davis’ evidentiary hearing, witnesses called by Davis recanted trial testimony and made allegations of police pressure. Others testified that an alternative suspect had confessed to them that he committed the crime. One eyewitness testified, for the first time, that he saw this other suspect, a relative of his, commit the crime. Police witnesses for the state of Georgia alternatively asserted that the original trial testimony was the true version of events and that it was elicited without coercion.

[alp227]

2. REPEAL CAPITAL PUNISHMENT

it doesn't deter crime

it has the irreversible risk of false convictions

it belongs to savage, anti-democratic, anti-human rights countries like Syria and China

[polmaven]

3. +++++++++!

It's hard to believe we still practice this barbarism anywhere in this country. :grr:

[dogmoma56]

4. there is no scientific proof that death is any penalty, it is however a Blood Sacrifice for votes

:argh:

[dogmoma56]

5. so i take it you dont watch the news...??

[polmaven]

12. Of course I watch the news...

What are you questioning? That I have a hard time accepting the continued practice of killing in "the people's" name anywhere in this country?

[Rhiannon12866]

8. +1!

How isn't this cruel and unusual punishment? x( :grr:

[hlthe2b]

10. Absolutely....

But until the RW finds some other outlet for their bloodlust (and obviously not one that would put themselves at harm--hence not war or military service), I fear the death penalty will remain...

[lbrtbell]

11. I have no problem with capital punishment

I do, however, have a big problem with it being used on someone who is innocent.

IMHO, it's sick to let law-abiding citizens die from lack of food, health care, and shelter, while violent criminals sentenced to "life" get all of the above.

And their victims, even those who survive, get nothing.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

6. The teabaggers must be booing right now.

[mvd]

9. Good. I'm against capital punishment and..

I appreciate the Supreme Court stepping in. John Grisham's The Confession is a good repudiation of the Texas execution machine.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

14. Get rid of that barbaric monstrosity known as the death penalty.

Unlikely, but it needs to be done.