April 22
TEXAS—-2 new execution dates
2 condemned Tx. prisoners get execution dates—-One injured in shooting
on busy S.A. street Fake priest sought in Tx. ripoffs nabbed in Vegas
Suspected gang members arrested on murder charges
At least 2 condemned Texas inmates already have execution dates following
last week's U.S. Supreme Court ruling upholding the lethal injection
process.
Charles Dean Hood, convicted of a double slaying in the Dallas suburb of
Plano more than 18 years ago, and Larry Donnell Davis, condemned for a
1995 robbery-slaying in Amarillo, are set to die, said the Texas Attorney
General's Office, which handles federal appeals involving capital murder
cases.
Hood, 38, was set for lethal injection June 17 by State District Judge
Curt Henderson. Davis, 40, was set to die July 31 by State District Judge
John Board.
"I don't think the actual warrant has been issued yet and served on Mr.
Hood," said John Rolater, chief of the Collin County Distirct Attorney's
appellate division. "The date could be modified or be withdrawn if he
files some new appeals."
In 2005, Hood came within 3 days of execution before the Texas Court of
Criminal Appeals stopped the punishment so additional appeals could be
considered. This is the 1st execution date for Davis, said Mark Baskett,
an assistant district attorney in Potter County.
The most recent execution in the country was in Huntsville on Sept. 25,
the same day the Supreme Court agreed to hear an appeal from 2 Kentucky
death row inmates who contended the lethal injection process was
unconstitutionally cruel. The procedure used there is similar to the one
used in Texas and other death penalty states.
Their appeal, which halted executions around the country, was turned down
by the high court last week in a 7-2 vote, clearing the way for capital
punishment to resume.
During the 7-month hiatus, more than 2 dozen condemned Texas inmates lost
their appeals at the Supreme Court, making them eligible for execution.
Some 20 others lost at the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, moving them
closer to punishment. And several other Texas prisoners who had execution
dates withdrawn pending the outcome of the Kentucky challenge could have
their dates reset.
Last year, 26 convicted killers were put to death by prison officials in
Huntsville, the most of any state. Since 1982 Texas has executed 405
prisoners, also the highest total in the nation.
Hood was convicted for the shootings of 3 people. He worked as a bouncer
at a Plano topless club and was befriended by a club patron, Ronald
Williamson, who let him stay at his home. Williamson, 35, and Tracie Lynn
Wallace, 26, a dancer, were found shot to death at Williamson's Plano
house in November 1989.
Hood, 20 at the time, was arrested in his native Vincennes, Ind., driving
Williamson's $70,000 Cadillac. He has denied any involvement in the
shootings.
Davis was condemned for the slaying of Michael Barrow, 26, who was fatally
stabbed and beaten at his Amarillo home. In a 14-page confession to
police, Davis said he went to Barrow's house as part of a gang plot to
kill Barrow and steal his belongings. Barrow was stabbed numerous times
with knives and an ice pick, was beaten with a pipe and had his sternum
broken by kicks or from being stomped.
Davis had several previous stints in prison. At the time of the crime, he
had been out less than 4 months after being released on mandatory
supervision from a 4-year term for theft.
(source: Associated Press)