Free Republic

Reprieve for killer debated State board may review youth-offender issue in execution set for today 05/28/2002 By MICHAEL GRACZYK / Associated Press LIVINGSTON, Texas - Texas parole board members were mulling the fate of death-row inmate Napoleon Beazley, whose conviction for killing the father of a federal judge when he was 17 has renewed debate over executing young offenders. The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles was to vote Tuesday on whether to recommend to Gov. Rick Perry that Mr. Beazley's death sentence be commuted to life. "You don't want to make a decision that will turn out to...

Court declines to hear Beazley's appeal Defense to petition court again Tuesday, when Texan is set to die 05/25/2002 By ED TIMMS / The Dallas Morning News The U.S. Supreme Court declined Friday to review the appeal of Texas death-row inmate Napoleon Beazley, whose case has become a focus of national and international opposition to the capital punishment for youthful offenders. Mr. Beazley was 17 when he fatally shot Tyler businessman John Luttig during a botched carjacking on April 19, 1994. He is scheduled to be executed Tuesday for Mr. Luttig's murder. AP Napoleon Beazley Attorneys for Mr. Beazley...

When is a killer too young to die? Beazley case focuses death penalty debate on age at time of crime 05/24/2002 By ED TIMMS / The Dallas Morning News The approaching execution of a Texas death-row inmate has become a focus of national and international opposition to capital punishment for youthful murderers. Napoleon Beazley, 25, is scheduled to die by lethal injection Tuesday for the 1994 shooting death of Tyler businessman John Luttig during a bungled carjacking. Mr. Beazley was 17 at the time. Prosecutors say Mr. Beazley was legitimately tried as an adult and convicted for a heinous...