Can We Charge Governor Rick Parry With Murder?

http://www.blackcommentator.com/346/346_gov_perry_murder_rogers_ed_bd.html


Just as the Texas Forensic Science Commission was about to expose Governor Rick Perry as a willing accomplice to the state murder of Cameron Willingham, Perry ousted three of its members. This move effectively shut down the commission’s review of a report that challenged arson findings that led to Willingham’s 2004 execution. The Innocence Project turned over its investigation of the case to the state commission who had the good sense to hire an arson export. Craig Beyler found no scientific evidence (not the Texas-style science) to support the conclusion of arson.

That means Willingham, who literally screamed out his innocence on his journey to the death chamber, was innocent of the 1991 deaths of his three young daughters. Imagine the grieving of your loved ones being interrupted to face charges of murder and your ultimate execution. How painful is that?

Rick Perry served as Lieutenant Governor under George Bush. Texas has held the title of Top State Executioner since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976. Then Governor Bush topped the country as the governor with the most executions under his belt. Perry longed for that cherished position and climbed over the 200th body to take his throne back in June this year. The Perry-Bush team sent 350 citizens to their deaths with African-Americans represented disproportionately in those numbers.

Perry is running for re-election and political pundits point to his tight race as his reason to squash the impending news that he sent an innocent man to his death. The information about the faulty arson charge was presented to the governor prior to Willingham’s execution but the governor put his hands over his ears. Just as Governor Perry used Willingham as political fodder to advance his career at execution time; maintaining his office now is tied to burying the truth about the poor man’s fate.

Both his Republican and Democratic opponents are condemning Perry’s cowardly actions. Democratic candidate Hank Gilbert said that justice was being controlled by a “Governor desperate to retain his grip on power.” The death penalty has always been about power; it has never been about justice.

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For governors like Rick Perry, for police commanders like Chicago’s Jon Burge, for rogue prosecutors--what should be the charge for their willful and active roles in sending innocent people to their death? Is it different from the average citizen who knowingly plans or participates in the death of another human being?
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first get him and his unelected - out of office - out of power

You've got depraved indifference, to be sure, but not enough for murder per se.

the Governor of TX lacks the power to stop an execution I don't think so.

could halt an execution. not so?

It's up to the Board to ultimately decide to go ahead or not.

i would imagine however that the governor's decision to halt an execution and the reasons for the decision would have an impact on the Board's ultimate decision.

But I wouldn't put it pass the Board to just go ahead anyways.

I just hope that next year we get rid of Perry for good and get a good democrat in that office. I would think a good democrat would halt all executions.

It was his job to issue that stay if there was last minute evidence. The very best you can say about him is he was grossly negligent, and although murder is a bit of a stretch, manslaughter certainly isn't.

Texas had a Governor elected not long after the turn of the century (1900) that was without a doubt the most corrupt Governor Texas has ever had. He was famous for selling pardons for those on death row. As a result, years later the Texas constitution was amended to sharply limit the governors dealing with executions.

If you have the time, and for a little fun do a search for James E. "Pa" Ferguson.

As well as his wife, Ma Ferguson.

It does not surprise me to learn year later that they were corrupt.

Which he clearly should have done. And I would think that his opinion should matter to the Board if he recommends turning the death sentence to life, but at the same time I wouldn't trust the people running the Board as far as I can throw them. They can essentially do whatever the hell pleases them, and I wouldn't put it past them to continue and execution even after a Governor has recommended delaying it and/or not doing it at all.

I hope that next year we're able to get a democrat in the governor's mansion (or rented apartment since they're not living in the mansion) and in the Lt. Gov position and get some real investigations and have these executions halted permanently.

I'm optimistic about the long term and I think we have a decent shot at a Democrat in the Gov mansion next go around, but this time it's either going to be a flake or a schmuck unless someone comes up with some video of one of them diddling little kids and I'm not even too sure that would help. And neither one of them have as much character in their whole body as George Ryan has in his little finger and he's a convicted crook.

The ability to think implies a state of not being Rick Perry.

Texas had a Governor elected not long after the turn of the century (1900) that was without a doubt the most corrupt Governor Texas has ever had. He was famous for selling pardons for those on death row. As a result, years later the Texas constitution was amended to sharply limit the governors dealing with executions.

If you have the time, and for a little fun do a search for James E. "Pa" Ferguson.

Pappy O'Daniel was another moran of the 1st degree. As bad as W and Goodhair are, they aren't even in the running for the title of biggest dipshit to ever grace the office.

I am for capital punishment for him as well.

Metaphorically speaking, of course.