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60 Percent of Executions Happen in Texas
The New York Times ^ | 12-26-2007 | ADAM LIPTAK

Posted on 12/26/2007 7:08:55 PM PST by Baladas

(Dec. 26) -- This year’s death penalty bombshells — a de facto national moratorium, a state abolition and the smallest number of executions in more than a decade — have masked what may be the most significant and lasting development. For the first time in the modern history of the death penalty, more than 60 percent of all American executions took place in Texas.

Over the past three decades, the proportion of executions nationwide performed in Texas has held relatively steady, averaging 37 percent. Only once before, in 1986, has the state accounted for even a slight majority of the executions, and that was in a year with 18 executions nationwide.

(Excerpt) Read more at news.aol.com ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Government; US: Texas
KEYWORDS: deathpenalty; dontmesswithtexas; executioms; godblesstexas; texas
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To: Allegra
WE’RE #1!!

LOL!!!

Woo-hoo!!!!

That makes me almost as happy as the Cowboys' assured participation in the play-offs!

:-D

41 posted on 12/26/2007 7:42:50 PM PST by pax_et_bonum (Always finish what you st)
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To: festus; Tuscaloosa Goldfinch
“In Texas if you kill someone we will kill you back.”

42 posted on 12/26/2007 7:43:57 PM PST by ButThreeLeftsDo (Merry Christmas!)
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To: ElPatriota

And how many executions are the citizens of Philly resonsible for? (without a trial)


43 posted on 12/26/2007 7:46:24 PM PST by eyedigress
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To: Baladas

As a Virginian, I’m embarrassed for my state.


44 posted on 12/26/2007 7:47:21 PM PST by nina0113 (If fences don't work, why does the White House have one?)
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To: eyedigress

p


45 posted on 12/26/2007 7:48:19 PM PST by eyedigress
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To: Baladas
Outside of Texas, even supporters of the death penalty say they detect a change in public attitudes about executions in light of the time and expense of capital litigation, the possibility of wrongful convictions and the remote chance that someone sent to death row will actually be executed.

“We’re seeing fewer people sentenced to death. People really do question capital punishment. The whole idea of exoneration has really penetrated popular culture.”

WRONG!

This is one of the murderers put to death in Texas...

On the afternoon of August 18, 1986 and just two months after he had been paroled from prison, Michael Richard approached Marguerite Dixon’s son, Albert, in front of the Dixon home in Hockley and asked if a yellow van parked outside the home was for sale. Albert said the vehicle belonged to his brother who was out of town and suggested that Richard come back another time. Richard left.

Michael Wayne Richard, who is scheduled to be executed after 6 p.m. Tuesday, September 25, 2007. Richard was convicted and sentenced to death for the capital murder of Marguerite Dixon during a burglary of her Houston-area home in 1986.

During the punishment phase of his trial, the state presented evidence of Richard’s two prior convictions for burglary of a habitation. Evidence was also presented of an auto theft charge, committed shortly after the second burglary, but not prosecuted. Richard murdered Mrs. Dixon less than two months after he was released on mandatory supervision for his second burglary conviction.

46 posted on 12/26/2007 7:49:52 PM PST by kcvl
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To: Baladas

One reason is that Texas does not have a provision for a life sentence without parole.


47 posted on 12/26/2007 7:50:37 PM PST by altura (Go, Fred!)
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To: elcid1970
"Why the comfortable-looking pillow on the execution place?"

I guess for the same reason they rub alcohol on the condemned prisoners arm before inserting the sterile needle.

48 posted on 12/26/2007 7:50:59 PM PST by GregoTX (The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.)
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To: Baladas

I’m sorry Texas has to do most of the work (but glad they’re willing to take up the slack for the rest of us who can’t be bothered to put some of the miserable SOBs out of our misery)...


49 posted on 12/26/2007 7:51:40 PM PST by Friend_from_the_Frozen_North (If you are, as Rush would say, "A Glittering Jewel of Colossal Ignorance" don't waste my time...)
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To: Baladas

I’M PROUD OF THAT TITLE...Way to go my Texas...execute ‘em. It’s scriptural...it just takes way too long...now that’s not scriptural...once convicted I believe it must happen by sun down.


50 posted on 12/26/2007 7:52:14 PM PST by shield (A wise man's heart is at his RIGHT hand;but a fool's heart at his LEFT. Ecc 10:2)
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To: Baladas

We used to have a pretty good record here in Florida. With Gov Suntan at the helm we don’t have a chance of catching Texas anytime soon.


51 posted on 12/26/2007 7:52:40 PM PST by WackySam
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To: Baladas
Taking out the trash... Lone Star State style.

Hey all you p.o.s. murdering thugs out there... fear Texas.

52 posted on 12/26/2007 7:53:58 PM PST by Trajan88 (www.bullittclub.com)
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To: kcvl

At least nobody has yet said:

“I’d rather see 999 guilty criminals walk free if it means 1 innocent person is executed”.

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR....

From the case you cite, he had 21 years before the death penalty happened to him that his victim(s) never had.


53 posted on 12/26/2007 7:54:27 PM PST by Baladas
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To: Marie2
Any correlation with a lower murder rate?

Zero repeat offenders!

54 posted on 12/26/2007 7:55:39 PM PST by lonestar
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To: Baladas
Hey, if there isn't any news we like we (The NYT) can always manufacture some "news" that is more suited to our Liberal sensibilities.

Is the NYT about to embark on a new campaign against capital punishment?

The old gray lady is really just an old, tired and throughly corrupt political strumpet, isn't she?

55 posted on 12/26/2007 7:55:56 PM PST by Carbonado
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To: Baladas

The murderer, Michael Richard. The type of people that these bleeding hearts want to save.

56 posted on 12/26/2007 7:57:39 PM PST by kcvl
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To: Baladas
60 Percent of Executions Happen in Texas

And we're proud of that accomplishment.

57 posted on 12/26/2007 7:58:17 PM PST by El Gato ("The Second Amendment is the RESET button of the United States Constitution." -- Doug McKay)
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To: Baladas

Congrats to Texas!


58 posted on 12/26/2007 7:58:45 PM PST by Lancey Howard
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To: altura
One reason is that Texas does not have a provision for a life sentence without parole.

Does any state REALLY have life without parole? Can't every governor commute a sentence?

59 posted on 12/26/2007 7:59:01 PM PST by nina0113 (If fences don't work, why does the White House have one?)
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To: Baladas

November 08, 2007

Michael Richard’s Wife Files Lawsuit Against Presiding Judge Keller

The widow of Michael Richard, a convicted murderer executed by Texas six weeks ago, has sued the Texas judge who prevented his appeal from being considered in state court.

“He was on death row, so chances are he was going to be executed. But to have your appeal denied for no rhyme or reason? That’s wrong,” Marsha Richard, 43, said during a news conference outside the Houston federal courthouse Wednesday. The home health aide married Michael Richard in 2002. “No matter what side of the death penalty you fall on, we’re still dealing with human beings. Their lives are in the balance.”


60 posted on 12/26/2007 8:01:22 PM PST by kcvl
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