The long-standing tradition of allowing death row inmates one last meal of their choosing before they enter the execution chamber ends today, said Brad Livingston, executive director of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
Texas death row
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Supreme Court Grants Last-Minute Stay of Duane Buck Execution
At about 7:40 p.m., the U.S. Supreme Court stayed the execution of Duane Edward Buck. His trial was one of several cases in which a psychologist told jurors that his race made him more dangerous.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
With Execution Set for Tonight, Perry Faces Further Scrutiny
Tonight, Texas is scheduled to execute its 11th death row inmate this year. As Matt Largey of KUT News reports, controversy surrounding the inmate’s case could put the spotlight back on Gov. Rick Perry’s death penalty record, which has received national attention in recent weeks.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Pardons Board Denies Clemency in Buck Case
The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles today voted against recommending clemency for Duane Edward Buck, rejecting the pleas of his lawyers, a victim he shot and a prosecutor who was on the team that sentenced him to death.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Duane Buck Prosecutor Urges Clemency
A lawyer who worked on the Harris County District Attorney’s prosecution team that sent Duane Edward Buck to death row is calling on state officials to halt the execution schedueld for Thursday and allow for a new sentencing trial in the case.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Video: Sam Bassett: The TT Interview
The former chairman of the Forensic Science Commission on why he believes the governor replaced him and why he argues it is critical for the Texas justice system that the commission finish its investigation into the Willingham arson case.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Sam Bassett: The TT Interview
The former chairman of the Forensic Science Commission on why he believes the governor replaced him, whether he thinks political motivations were behind it, and why it is critical that the commission finish the Willingham arson investigation.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Lawyers, Victim Seek Clemency for Death Row Inmate
Phyllis Taylor survived the 1995 shooting spree that ended with two others dead and Duane Buck on death row. Buck is scheduled to be executed on Sept. 15. Today, Taylor asked state officials to halt his execution.
Posted inState Government
Hank Skinner Seeks DNA Testing Under New Law
Lawyers for death row inmate Hank Skinner filed a motion Friday seeking DNA testing under a new Texas law that expands access to such testing. And they have asked the state to withdraw the Nov. 9 execution date set for Skinner.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Lawyers Seek Reprieve for Death Row Inmate in Racially Tinged Case
Lawyers for death row inmate Duane Edward Buck today asked for clemency based on the statement of a key witness that the fact he was black meant Buck was more likely to be violent in the future.
