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 ...
LOL!!!
Woo-hoo!!!!
That makes me almost as happy as the Cowboys' assured participation in the play-offs!
:-D
And how many executions are the citizens of Philly resonsible for? (without a trial)
As a Virginian, I’m embarrassed for my state.
p
“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.
One reason is that Texas does not have a provision for a life sentence without parole.
I guess for the same reason they rub alcohol on the condemned prisoners arm before inserting the sterile needle.
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)...
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.
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.
Hey all you p.o.s. murdering thugs out there... fear Texas.
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.
Zero repeat offenders!
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?
The murderer, Michael Richard. The type of people that these bleeding hearts want to save.
And we're proud of that accomplishment.
Congrats to Texas!
Does any state REALLY have life without parole? Can't every governor commute a sentence?
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.”
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