[kevkrom]

The Governor of Texas had the ultimate authority over those matters in this case.

And not even then. IIRC, in Texas, the Governor can grant a temporary stay, but commuting the sentence falls to a special panel.

[Alberta's Child]

Thanks for clarifying that — I stand corrected. I should have made a more general statement about how state officials are the only ones who can issue pardons and commutations for state crimes.