It also wouldn't be a bad idea to read up on Todd Willingham.
Or consider that Louis Gohmert, who regularly distinguishes himself as possibly the stupidest man in our very stupid government, was a Texas judge for years before his political career.
My family has had some experience with some of the Texas DOC's Prominent Men. They are among the most intellectually and morally slovenly people in the world. I've met drug dealers with way more integrity and (God knows) more intelligence.
May Melissa Lucio, and a whole lot of other people, find freedom.
Dear David, Thank you so much for bringing this issue into your often abstract and academic forum. I have been working on making this issue public for some time (have you seen the documentary?) and it's incredibly heartening to know you care about Melissa. I did not think I could love you any more than I do, but the way you just used your voice on behalf of the voiceless and marginalized has made my heart swell. Blessings to you.
https://freemelissalucio.org/ has a list of very easy actions readers can take (from the comfort of the chairs they are sitting in right now!)
Just a note that Melissa Lucio has received a stay of execution from the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals - they have ordered the county district court to consider new evidence of her innocence in the death of her child. Thank you to anyone who reached out. It may have helped.
I am a public defender by trade and can confidently say that my worst nightmare is to be judged by a group of my peers (no less so when their judgement will authorize the government to murder me under the guise of a criminal justice system). As a "christian" society our indifference to this barbaric practice should appal anyone with a conscience. I am unaware of this woman's particular circumstances, but sadly these occurrences are far too common. The fact that we have executed a 14 year old, posthumously exonerated, should have ended the debate.
I’ve often been asked why I’m against capital punishment, don’t I think serial killers deserve death? My answer should be “no”, but honestly I didn’t shed any tears when Ted Bundy was executed. No, I’m against capital punishment because we can’t trust courts not to execute innocent people! And the death of 1 innocent person far outweighs whatever injustice an endless number of murderers surviving into old age represents.
I'm guessing the tendency to treat every execution as a referrendum on the practice is a major factor here. In a sense, it's a correct way of thinking: every person exonerated or pardoned on death row makes capital punishment less plausible. It's just interesting to see a justice system that sees granting individuals justice as inimcal to its general mission, and sees miscarriage of justice as an existential threat instead of a chance for reform.
An example for any reader happening by who may be inclined to think that DBH is exaggerating about the carelessness of Texas justice: https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/truth-justice-podcast-army-free-ed-ates/
It also wouldn't be a bad idea to read up on Todd Willingham.
Or consider that Louis Gohmert, who regularly distinguishes himself as possibly the stupidest man in our very stupid government, was a Texas judge for years before his political career.
My family has had some experience with some of the Texas DOC's Prominent Men. They are among the most intellectually and morally slovenly people in the world. I've met drug dealers with way more integrity and (God knows) more intelligence.
May Melissa Lucio, and a whole lot of other people, find freedom.
Dear David, Thank you so much for bringing this issue into your often abstract and academic forum. I have been working on making this issue public for some time (have you seen the documentary?) and it's incredibly heartening to know you care about Melissa. I did not think I could love you any more than I do, but the way you just used your voice on behalf of the voiceless and marginalized has made my heart swell. Blessings to you.
https://freemelissalucio.org/ has a list of very easy actions readers can take (from the comfort of the chairs they are sitting in right now!)
Just a note that Melissa Lucio has received a stay of execution from the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals - they have ordered the county district court to consider new evidence of her innocence in the death of her child. Thank you to anyone who reached out. It may have helped.
Happy Easter, David.
I am a public defender by trade and can confidently say that my worst nightmare is to be judged by a group of my peers (no less so when their judgement will authorize the government to murder me under the guise of a criminal justice system). As a "christian" society our indifference to this barbaric practice should appal anyone with a conscience. I am unaware of this woman's particular circumstances, but sadly these occurrences are far too common. The fact that we have executed a 14 year old, posthumously exonerated, should have ended the debate.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Stinney
I’ve often been asked why I’m against capital punishment, don’t I think serial killers deserve death? My answer should be “no”, but honestly I didn’t shed any tears when Ted Bundy was executed. No, I’m against capital punishment because we can’t trust courts not to execute innocent people! And the death of 1 innocent person far outweighs whatever injustice an endless number of murderers surviving into old age represents.
Texas death row prisoner Melissa Lucio granted stay of execution — Χριστὸς ἀνέστη! Christ is risen! Хрїсто́съ воскре́се!
I'm guessing the tendency to treat every execution as a referrendum on the practice is a major factor here. In a sense, it's a correct way of thinking: every person exonerated or pardoned on death row makes capital punishment less plausible. It's just interesting to see a justice system that sees granting individuals justice as inimcal to its general mission, and sees miscarriage of justice as an existential threat instead of a chance for reform.
Great work David and great work all those who have written on this post
I have asked the attorney for Lt Gov Dan Patrick to intervene. But I’ve small hopes in my correspondent, and much less in Patrick.
Thank you for bringing this to our attention. How horrible. I will share far and wide.
This GoFundMe for Lucio and her family appears to be legit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/savemelissalucio?utm_campaign=m_pd+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link_all&utm_source=customer
Mark Fuhrman wrote an expose of the death penalty in Oklahoma. The findings apply across all states. The death penalty needs to end. https://www.amazon.com/Death-Justice-Mark-Fuhrman-ebook/dp/B003XDUCKY
Do you happen to know the appellate status??