Innocent Man Executed on Rick Perry's Watch

[WLGarrison]

Cameron Todd Willingham was convicted on the testimony of fire investigators who used folklore & junk science.  Rick Perry could have stopped the execution, but he didn't want to appear soft on crime.  Now the Perry camp is trying to obstruct the investigation into the wrongful execution.

http://www.innocenceproject.org/Content/Cameron_Todd_Willingham_Wrongfully_Convicted_and_Executed_in_Texas.php

[Optimus]

Rick Perry holds the record on executions

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/gov-perry-and-texas-executions/2011/08/23/gIQA9mhYZJ_video.html
Video: The Washington Post's Anqoinette Crosby sits down with Bob Barnes to discuss the number of executions in Texas while Rick Perry has held the position of Governor, and how that may impact his presidential bid.

By Robert Barnes, Published: August 23

Texas Gov. Rick Perry brings to the presidential race a law-and-order credential that none of his competitors can match — even if they wanted to.

In his nearly 11 years as the state’s chief executive, Perry, now running for the Republican presidential nomination, has overseen more executions than any governor in modern history: 234 and counting. That’s more than the combined total in the next two states — Oklahoma and Virginia — since the death penalty was restored 35 years ago.

More: http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/rick-perry-holds-the-record-on-executions/2011/08/17/gIQAMvNwYJ_story.html

[Optimus]

Rick Perry’s Execution Record Includes The Deaths Of Juveniles And The Mentally Disabled

By Travis Waldron on Sep 2, 2011 at 2:00 pm

The amount of executions held in Texas during Gov. Rick Perry’s (R) 11 years in office has come under scrutiny in the early stages of his presidential campaign, most notably for the case of Cameron Todd Willingham, who was convicted of murdering his three daughters and put to death despite evidence showing that he was likely innocent of the crimes. But even as the Willingham case receives the most notice, many of Perry’s decisions regarding execution have begun to garner attention.

Texas has held 234 executions on Perry’s watch, more than the next two states combined have executed since the death penalty was restored 35 years ago. While Perry can only grant clemency from death sentences if it is recommended by the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles, he has rarely used that power. According to the Texas Tribune, Perry has commuted only 31 death sentences, and 28 of those resulted from a 2005 Supreme Court case outlawing the execution of juveniles. Meanwhile, he has allowed a host of controversial executions to go forward, the Tribune reported today:

More: http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2011/09/02/310875/rick-perrys-execution-record-includes-the-deaths-of-juveniles-and-the-mentally-disabled/