Today the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals halted the execution of Rodney Reed, which was scheduled to take place on March 5th. The court issued the stay to consider new evidence that may establish Reed’s innocence in the 1996 murder of Stacey Stites. Here’s a statement from Reed’s lawyer, Bryce Benjet, a staff attorney with the Innocence […]
Rodney Reed
Attorneys for Rodney Reed file new appeal
Yesterday, attorneys for Rodney Reed filed a new appeal in Bastrop County based on new witness testimony and forensic evidence that supports their client’s innocence. Reed is scheduled to be put to death by the State of Texas on March 5 for the 1996 murder of Stacy Stites. Reed claims that he and Stites were romantically involved. His […]
Outpouring of support for Scott Panetti; updates on the TCADP 2015 Annual Conference; and Judge Tom Price calls for abolition
In this month’s alert from TCADP, you’ll find updates on the scheduled executions of Scott Panetti and Rodney Reed, announcements on the TCADP 2015 Annual Conference, and a call for abolition by Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Judge Tom Price.
Retired Judges Support Appeal of Rodney Reed
On July 21, 2014, eight retired federal and state judges petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to accept an appeal from Rodney Reed, who is scheduled to be executed on January 14, 2015. Among them are Royal Ferguson of Texas, a retired federal judge appointed by President Bill Clinton, and Judge Charles Baird, who served eight years on the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals and four years as a state district judge in Austin.