Tonight, at the 11th hour, the U.S. Supreme Court temporarily stayed the execution of Duane Buck, pending a conference on his cert petition, which will take place at a later date. The Justices stayed the execution without comment. According to CBS/AP, “Two appeals, both related to a psychologist’s testimony that black people were more likely to commit violence, were before the court. One was granted. The other denied.”
Here’s a statement from Kate Black, Attorney for Duane Buck, in Response to the Stay of Execution from the U.S. Supreme Court
“We are relieved that the U.S. Supreme Court recognized the obvious injustice of allowing a defendant’s race to factor into sentencing decisions and granted a stay of execution to Duane Buck. No one should be put to death based on the color of his or her skin. We are confident that the Court will agree that our client is entitled to a fair sentencing hearing that is untainted by considerations of his race.”
Kate Black, Attorney, Texas Defender Service
September 15, 2011
The S. Ct. order is at:
http://www.supremecourt.gov/orders/courtorders/091511zr1.pdf
Thank you to everyone who has taken action on this case.