This edition of our monthly newsletter addresses the continued impact of COVID-19 on use of the death penalty and prison conditions in Texas. It also includes updates on cases involving intellectual disability claims, federal executions, and use of the death penalty worldwide.
Author: Kristin
Texas Court of Criminal Appeals stays execution of Edward Busby
On April 27, 2020, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals (CCA) granted a 60-day stay of execution to Edward Busby. Busby was scheduled to be put to death on May 6, 2020 for the 2004 robbery and murder of 77-year-old Laura Lee Crane in Fort Worth. This is the fourth time since mid-March that the […]
Trial court postpones execution date for Billy Joe Wardlow
Today, April 6, 2020, the trial court granted the state’s motion to move Billy Joe Wardlow’s execution date from April 29 to July 8; it denied defense’s motion to withdraw the date. Both motions were based on the COVID-19 pandemic. It is the fourth execution scheduled by the State of Texas to be stayed or […]
TCADP April 2020 Newsletter: Case updates; exonerations in 2019; and recommended media
In this edition of our monthly newsletter, you’ll find updates on scheduled executions and other Texas death penalty cases, a new report on exonerations in 2019, and recommended films, podcasts and other popular media on the death penalty.
Texas Court of Criminal Appeals stays execution of Fabian Hernandez
In an order issued on April 1, 2020, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals determined that the execution of Fabian Hernandez, which was scheduled for April 23, “should be stayed at the present time.” He was sentenced to death for the murders of his estranged wife, Renee Hernandez, and Arturo Fonseca in El Paso in 2006. […]
COVID-19 and the Death Penalty
The COVID-19 pandemic is impacting use of the death penalty and individuals on death row in Texas. In this blog post, you’ll find an update on recent developments as well as actions you can take (from home) in support. Recent death penalty developments Two men were scheduled to be executed by the State of Texas […]
Texas Court of Criminal Appeals stays execution of Tracy Beatty
Today, March 19, 2020, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals (“CCA”) granted a 60-day stay of execution to Tracy Beatty due to the global pandemic. Beatty was scheduled to be executed on March 25, 2020. Five years ago, he received a stay from the CCA after his attorneys argued Beatty received deficient legal help at his […]
Texas Court of Criminal Appeals stays the execution of John Hummel
Today, March 16, 2020, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals (“CCA”) granted a 60-day stay of execution “on its own motion” to John Hummel, who was scheduled to be put to death on Wednesday, March 18, 2020. The order came about an hour after the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles unanimously rejected Hummel’s application […]
Follow us on Twitter
Join our movement on Facebook
Look at us on Instagram