In this edition Reflections on race and “future dangerousness” in the Texas death penalty Scheduled executions: State of Texas seeks to execute Billy Joe Wardlow for a crime he committed 27 years ago at the age of 18; federal government sets four execution dates Case updates: Bobby Moore, who spent 40 years on death row, […]
U.S. Supreme Court
U.S. Supreme Court remands case of Terence Andrus based on woefully inadequate legal representation
On Monday, June 8, 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court remanded the death penalty case of Terence Andrus to Texas for further review, finding that his trial attorney provided inadequate and deficient legal representation. Among his many failings were neglecting to investigate or present readily-available mitigating evidence of Andrus’s troubled upbringing, which could have persuaded the jury to spare his life.
U.S. Supreme Court stays the execution of Ruben Gutierrez
Just an hour before he was scheduled to be executed by the State of Texas, Ruben Gutierrez received a stay from the U.S. Supreme Court. Gutierrez had asked the U.S. Supreme Court to halt his execution in order to consider his request to allow a Christian chaplain in the execution chamber, a request that was […]
Ruben Gutierrez seeks 30-day stay from Governor Greg Abbott; appeal also pending with U.S. Supreme Court
Today, Ruben Gutierrez, who is scheduled to be executed by the State of Texas on Tuesday at 6 p.m. CT, asked the U.S. Supreme Court to stay his execution in order to consider his request to allow a Christian chaplain in the execution chamber, a request that was routine in hundreds of Texas executions until April 2019, when the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) changed the rules. The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops filed an amicus brief in support of Gutierrez.
TCADP May 2020 Newsletter: COVID-19 continues to impact use of death penalty in Texas
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.
State of Texas executes Abel Ochoa
Last night, the State of Texas executed Abel Ochoa after the U.S. Supreme Court declined to consider his petition and rejected his motion for a stay. He was the second person put to death in Texas this year and the third nationwide. Seven more executions are scheduled through May.
TCADP August 2019 Alert: Texas schedules 11 executions
In this edition of our monthly newsletter, you’ll find information about two executions scheduled to occur this month , as well as updates on other death penalty cases. We also remember former U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens, who came to oppose the death penalty, and provide details on a recent interfaith statement delivered to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
TCADP April 2019 Alert: Exonerations, juror perspectives, and a stay for Patrick Murphy
In this edition: Scheduled executions: Two individuals set to be put to death this monthIn case you missed it: Alfred Dewayne Brown deemed “actually innocent”; Nueces County jury rejects death penalty for third time in a row; U.S. Supreme Court hears outrageous case of Curtis Flowers; two men exonerated in Florida after 43 years in prisonNew resource: […]