The Willingham Files
(10-20-09) Ex-governor White urges rethink of death penalty
AUSTIN (AP) — Former Texas Gov. Mark White said he believes it's time that the state reconsider its use of capital punishment because — among other reasons — the risk of putting innocent people to death is too great.
In an interview published in Monday's editions of the Houston Chronicle and San Antonio Express-News, White said the death penalty no longer deters murder, long delays between convictions and executions show there is no swift justice and he's increasingly concerned that the law isn't administered fairly.
"There is a very strong case to be made for a review of our death penalty statutes and even look at the possibility of having life without parole so we don't look up one day and determine that we, as the state of Texas, have executed someone who in fact was innocent," he said.
White was the state attorney general in 1979-1983 and governor in 1983-1987 and was involved with 20 executions in both capacities.
His comments come while Texas Gov. Rick Perry is under criticism for replacing member of the Texas Forensics Commission and delaying consideration of an expert's report questioning the 2004 execution of Cameron Todd Willingham.
In response, Perry has called Willingham a "monster" and he was certain of Willingham's guilt.
White said he did not intend his comments to be critical of Perry's handling of the Willingham case. He also cited the case of Michael Blair, who was sent to death row for the 1993 Plano playground abduction and killing of Ashley Estell. DNA testing later cleared Blair in the slaying.
"That's two examples of why I think the system is so unreliable. It creases an unnecessary possibility that an innocent person would be executed in Texas. And I don't think anybody in Texas wants that to happen," he said.
___
Information from:
Houston Chronicle: http://www.houstonchronicle.com
San Antonio Express-News: http://www.mysanantonio.com
Click here to Soundoff on this story.
- The Willingham Files
-
-
Willingham not on science panel agenda
DALLAS (AP) — A state science panel looking into a possible wrongful conviction in a Texas death penalty case is meeting for the first time since Gov. Rick Perry removed several members, but the execution case is not on the agenda.
-
(12-14-09) Tarrant County medical examiner appointed to forensic commission
Gov. Rick Perry has appointed Tarrant County's medical examiner to the Texas Forensic Science Commission, a group shaken up this fall when Perry replaced several members.
-
(12-02-09) Jurors defend verdict that led to Texas execution
David Martin is sickened by the suggestion that Texas executed an innocent man when Cameron Todd Willingham was put to death for setting a fire that killed his three children.
-
(11-10-09) Forensic panel chair offers plans
The Texas Forensic Science Commission is not going to debate the death penalty or decide the guilt or innocence of individual cases, said John Bradley
-
(11-08-09) GUEST COMMENTARY: A work in progress
I am John Bradley, the elected District Attorney in Williamson County and the new presiding officer of the nine-member Texas Forensic Science Commission. I am writing to introduce myself, explain the purpose of the Commission and inform you about the work the Commission now faces.
-
(10-27-09) Texas Forensic Science Commission questioned
The City of Corsicana is questioning the Texas Forensic Science Commission’s ability to look at the case of Cameron Todd Willingham, since it happened 14 years before the commission was created.
-
(10-26-09) Report: Willingham's former wife, 'He confessed'
In a story on the Fort Worth Star-Telegram's online newspaper today, Stacey Kykendall, the former wife of executed Cameron Todd Willingham, says he confessed to her before his execution.
-
Death penalty opponents rally at Texas Capitol
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - Death penalty opponents, convinced an innocent man was executed in 2004, staged a rally Saturday at the Texas Capitol to call for a moratorium on capital punishment and to highlight the controversial case of Cameron Todd Willingham.
-
(10-24-09) Report: Willingham at center of anti-death penalty march Saturday
In a story on its online newspaper, the Waco Tribune-Herald reports the execution of Cameron Todd Willingham will be at the center of a rally Saturday in Austin. waco attorney Walter Reaves Jr. was Willingham's attorney during his final appeals.
-
(10-20-09) Ex-governor White urges rethink of death penalty
Former Texas Gov. Mark White said he believes it's time that the state reconsider its use of capital punishment because — among other reasons — the risk of putting innocent people to death is too great.
- More The Willingham Files Headlines
-
Willingham not on science panel agenda
