In this edition of our monthly newsletter, you’ll find information on legislative developments around the country, case updates related to intellectual disability and junk science, and guidance on how you can take action to stop the scheduled execution of Edward Busby. You’ll also find announcements related to our next webinar and book group meeting and the TCADP 2021 Annual Conference later this month.
severe mental illness
Fifth Circuit Rules in Favor of Scott Panetti
On Tuesday, July 11, 2017, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit returned Scott Panetti’s case to the federal district court with orders to appoint counsel, authorize funds for investigative and expert assistance, and allow adequate time to prepare a habeas corpus petition raising the claim that Mr. Panetti is currently incompetent to […]
TCADP May 2016 Alert: End of death penalty “past due”
In this edition of our monthly e-newsletter, you’ll find updates on several Texas death penalty cases, as well as the results of the Kinder Institute’s latest Houston Area Survey, which finds that 73% of Houstonians support alternatives to the death penalty.
Marcus Druery deemed incompetent for execution
A Brazos County judge recently deemed that Marcus Druery is incompetent to be executed due to evidence of his severe mental illness, which prevents him from understanding why he is being punished. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals granted Druery a stay just days before his scheduled execution on August 1, 2012 and later ordered a competency hearing.
State of Texas scheduled to execute Pablo Vasquez
Tonight, the State of Texas is scheduled to execute Pablo Vasquez . He was convicted of killing 12-year-old David Cardenas in 1998 in Donna, Texas (Hidalgo County). Vasquez was 20 years old at the time of the crime. His attorney claims he suffers from severe mental illness. An appeal on other grounds is pending before […]
Federal appeals court stays the execution of John Battaglia
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has granted a stay of execution to John Battaglia, who was scheduled to be put to death tonight for the 2001 murders of his two daughters, Faith and Liberty, ages 9 and 6, in Dallas County. Battaglia is now 60 years old. His attorneys argued they needed more […]
State of Texas executes Adam Ward
“I feel it.” Those were the last words of Adam Ward, who was put to death by the State of Texas last night after the U.S. Supreme Court rejected his appeal for a stay of execution. Ward’s attorneys argued he should be exempt from execution based on evidence of his severe mental illness. According to […]
State of Texas scheduled to execute Adam Ward
*Update* The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected Adam Ward’s appeal for a stay of execution based on evidence of his severe mental illness. Tonight, the State of Texas is scheduled to execute Adam Ward for killing Commerce Code Enforcement Officer Michael “Pee Wee” Walker in 2005 in Hunt County. Ward was 22 years old at […]
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