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Activists Have Running Mate for Perry: Cameron Todd Willingham
Wall Street Journal ^ | August 25th | Jonathan Weisman

Posted on 09/07/2011 3:15:39 PM PDT by Halfmanhalfamazing

The 2004 execution of Cameron Todd Willingham in Texas remains one of the most controversial death penalty cases in modern U.S. history, with forensic evidence that indicates an innocent man was put to death.

Now, activists in Austin would like to make Mr. Willingham Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s running mate.

With Mr. Perry surging to front-runner status in the Republican primary race, a slew of activities are planned to raise the profile of the Willingham case, and the aftermath that directly involved Mr. Perry. Anti-death penalty activists that run Cameron Todd Willingham website are recruiting activists in Iowa and New Hampshire to dog the Texas governor on campaign trips, said Scott Cobb, one of the recruiters. A rally in Austin on Oct. 22 will feature exonerated death row inmates from around the country, and Willingham family members. Plus a new documentary on the case, Incendiary, will get showings Sept. 23 in Austin, Sept. 30 in Washington, and Oct. 21 in Iowa City.

(Excerpt) Read more at blogs.wsj.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: cameronwillingham; deathpenalty; execution; perry; willingham

1 posted on 09/07/2011 3:15:45 PM PDT by Halfmanhalfamazing
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To: shield

perry ping


2 posted on 09/07/2011 3:16:30 PM PDT by Halfmanhalfamazing ( Media doesn't report, It advertises. So that last advertisement you just read, what was it worth?)
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To: Halfmanhalfamazing
The 2004 execution of Cameron Todd Willingham in Texas remains one of the most controversial death penalty cases in modern U.S. history, with forensic evidence that indicates an innocent man was put to death.

Now, activists in Austin would like to make Mr. Willingham Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s running mate.



3 posted on 09/07/2011 3:20:35 PM PDT by arderkrag (Georgia is God's Country. LOOKING FOR ROLEPLAYERS. Check Profile.)
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To: Halfmanhalfamazing

This may not sound pc but no human made institution is perfect. So there are bound to be some innocents getting the capital punishment.

They are casualties of an imperfect human system. The system is still good if vast majority of those put to death are guilty.


4 posted on 09/07/2011 3:23:56 PM PDT by sagar
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To: Halfmanhalfamazing
Was Cameron Todd Willingham convicted
by twelve jurors ?

Yes; end of discussion.


5 posted on 09/07/2011 3:32:15 PM PDT by Uri’el-2012 (Psalm 119:174 I long for Your salvation, YHvH, Your law is my delight.)
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To: Halfmanhalfamazing

Very biased article.

In the original trial investigators said it was arson. Defense experts said it wasn’t. At best, the forensic evidence was inconclusive. Secondly Willingham had a history of spousal abuse and confessed privately to his ex wife that he did it.

A Texas jury decided he did it. The governor does not have the right to unilaterally overturn a jury verdict. He may commute the sentence if the pardons and paroles board recommends clemency which they did not do in this case


6 posted on 09/07/2011 3:35:21 PM PDT by slumber1 (Don't taze me bro!)
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To: Halfmanhalfamazing

A politician held responsible for his decisions? Is this a joke?


7 posted on 09/07/2011 3:35:44 PM PDT by Scotsman will be Free (11C - Indirect fire, infantry - High angle hell - We will bring you, FIRE)
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To: Halfmanhalfamazing

The problem is in capital cases you’ve got state and federal courts up and down the line that take a drink of the cup, so to speak, before one of these guys gets the needle. It’s true here in California, and it’s true in Texas. I’m a Palin supporter, but this is BS.


8 posted on 09/07/2011 3:43:49 PM PDT by RichInOC (Palin 2012: The Perfect Storm.)
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To: sagar
This may not sound pc but no human made institution is perfect. So there are bound to be some innocents getting the capital punishment.

Sometimes an innocent is executed. More often, I think, a guilty man is wrongfully set free to kill again. There can be no perfection in any system.

Cameron Todd Willingham was not perfect, either, with convictions for burglary, DUI, grand larceny, and supplying intoxicants to minors.

9 posted on 09/07/2011 3:45:49 PM PDT by PapaBear3625 (When you've only heard lies your entire life, the truth sounds insane.)
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To: Halfmanhalfamazing

Let me guess: Perry alone handed down the conviction. What, no,....... twelve jurors did? Oh, well then surely he handed down the sentence. What, no,........ twelve jurors did and a judge issued the order in accordance with given criminal law? Well then, Perry surely must have pushed the plunger or flipped the switch himself. What, no, a state executioner performed his duty in accordance with a lawful sentence issued by a standing judge.

Justice is imperfect, but it is better than the alternative. Perry allowed the will of the jurors and judge, who has sat through the testimony and witnessed the evidence, to stand. What the hell is wrong with that? idiots!


10 posted on 09/07/2011 3:49:00 PM PDT by RobertClark (People sleep peaceably in their beds at night b'cse good men are rdy to do violence on their behalf)
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To: Halfmanhalfamazing
Even if Willingham didn't set the fire, which I believe he did, he still watched three little girls burn to death from his safe spot outside the house.

He got off easy.

11 posted on 09/07/2011 4:26:39 PM PDT by wideawake
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To: Halfmanhalfamazing

I do believe Perry wasn’t on the jury.


12 posted on 09/07/2011 5:25:17 PM PDT by TribalPrincess2U (Rabid democRATS and 0bama the dictator own it all now.)
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To: RobertClark

The governor of Texas does not have the power to stop an execution under the Texas constitution. Of course, to leftists, consititutions are things to be used as they desire and ignore as they desire.


13 posted on 09/07/2011 6:20:36 PM PDT by GreyFriar (Spearhead - 3rd Armored Division 75-78 & 83-87)
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To: sagar; Sudetenland

bump


14 posted on 09/07/2011 6:35:42 PM PDT by STD (Cut Taxes, Cut Spending Stupid!)
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To: Halfmanhalfamazing

This is just plain silly.


15 posted on 09/07/2011 6:41:28 PM PDT by savedbygrace (But God.)
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To: PapaBear3625
Here are the last words of Willingham, addressed to his ex-wife, the bereaved mother whom he had frequently assaulted:

"I hope you rot in hell, b----. I hope you f------ rot in hell, b----. I hope you f------ rot, c---. That is it."

His last conscious act on earth was to give her the finger.

That's their "innocent" angel.

16 posted on 09/08/2011 4:23:07 AM PDT by wideawake
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