Categories
execution jury rejection

State of Texas executes Gregory Russeau

Last night, the State of Texas carried out its ninth execution of the year, putting Gregory Russeau to death for the robbery and murder of 75-year-old mechanic James Syvertson at his Tyler auto-repair shop in 2001. Texas accounts for more than half of the executions nationwide to date in 2015. Earlier in the day, a Nueces County jury rejected the death penalty for Daniel Garcia.

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exoneration Harris County

13th death row exoneration in Texas: Alfred Dewayne Brown released after Harris County District Attorney dismisses charges

Yesterday, Alfred Dewayne Brown became the 13th person in Texas and the 154th nationwide to be released from death row due to evidence of his wrongful conviction. The Harris County District Attorney’s Office dismissed the capital murder charges against him after determining there was not enough evidence to re-try him for two murders that took place at a cash-checking business in Houston in 2003.

Categories
execution Texas

State of Texas executes Lester Bower

Last night, June 3, 2015, the State of Texas carried out its eighth execution of the year, putting Lester Bower Jr. to death more than 31 years after his conviction.  Bower […]

Categories
death penalty Texas

TCADP June 2015 Alert: Nebraska repeals the death penalty; implications for other states

In this edition of our monthly alert, you’ll find coverage of Nebraska’s historic vote to repeal the death penalty, as well as links to recent articles and opinion pieces noting the demise of the death penalty, even in Texas.

Categories
abolition

Nebraska repeals the death penalty

This afternoon, Nebraska became the 19th U.S. state to abandon the death penalty.  Legislators successful overrode Governor Pete Rickett’s veto of LB 268, a bill that replaces the death penalty […]

Categories
exoneration severe mental illness Texas

State of Texas executes Derrick Charles

Last night, the State of Texas carried out its seventh execution of the year, putting Derrick Charles to death for the murders of his 15-year-old girlfriend, Myiesha Bennett, her mother […]

Categories
execution severe mental illness

State of Texas scheduled to execute Derrick Charles

Barring intervention by the courts, Derrick Charles is scheduled to be put to death by the State of Texas tomorrow, Tuesday,  May 12, 2015. He was convicted of killing his […]

Categories
abolition legislature

Texas House Committee to Hear Death Penalty Repeal Bill

Today, Wednesday, April 29, 2015, the Texas House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee will hold a public hearing on House Bill (HB) 1527, which calls for the repeal of the death penalty in Texas. The bill is sponsored by State Representative Jessica Farrar (House District 148 – Houston).