The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles just turned down Hank Skinner on both requests. It was 7-0 for against a reprieve and 7-0 against a commutation to life.All that is left is the Supreme Court and Governor Rick Perry who can grant a 30-day stay.
PLEASE CALL THE GOVERNOR!
512-463-1782
Fax: 512-463-1849
Main number: 512-463-2000
Website email contact form/ http://www.governor.state.tx/. us/contact/
or use the online letter signing page set up by the Innocence Project
here:
The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles just rejected a clemency request for Hank Skinner, who faces execution on March 24.
Clemency Director Maria Ramirez says the panel's vote Monday was 7-0.
Keep signing and sharing the online petition, ESPECIALLY if you are American or Texan! It is a matter of life and death, and as members of this cause, I urge you to ACT NOW!
http://www.change.org/innocence_project/actions/view/order_dna_testing_for_hank_skinner
The following is a statement from Rob Owen, one of Mr. Skinner's attorneys, in response to the Board's recommendation:
"We are disheartened that the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles has turned a deaf ear to Mr. Skinner's plea for a stay of execution to allow for DNA testing of key evidence that could prove his innocence. It is now more urgent than ever that Governor Rick Perry not allow Wednesday's execution to proceed until all of the facts are in. We urge the governor to take the reasonable and fair action of halting Mr. Skinner's execution so that readily available scientific evidence can be tested before he is put to death on Wednesday. To do anything less means that the State ofTexas is willing to risk the execution of an innocent man."
Also, in recent days, thanks to your efforts, we are aware of more than 3000 letters that have been sent to Governor Perry by members and supporters of organizations who are urging the governor to stay Wednesday's execution so that DNA testing can take place.
Thank you for urging additional letters to the Governor, along with letters to the editor and online comments. They are needed now more than ever.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, March 22, 2010
Today, March 22, 2010 Kristin Houle, Executive Director of the Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty, issued the following statement in response to the decision by the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles to deny clemency to Hank Skinner.
Austin, Texas - The Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty (TCADP) is dismayed that the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles has reccommended against a commutation or reprieve for Hank Skinner. Skinner is scheduled to be executed on Wednesday, March 24 for the murder of Twila Busby, even though critical DNA evidence that was collected at the crime scene has never been tested. Mr. Skinner has steadfastly insisted he is innocent of the crime. It is inconceivable that the Board of Pardons and Paroles not act to prevent this execution when simple DNA testing may prevent a possible miscarriage of justice.
The Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty echoes the call of Mr. Skinner's attorneys in urging Governor Perry to not allow this execution to proceed until all the facts are known. It is inconceivable that the state of Texas would deny a person the right to have all evidence in his case properly considered before putting him to death.
This decision comes at a time of increased public scrutiny and growing awareness of the flaws and failures of the Texas death penalty system. TCADP strongly urges Governor Perry to stay the scheduled execution of Mr. Skinner to permit testing of the available DNA evidence.
Source: TCADP
Read more on Skinner's case here.
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