KPRC Channel 2 Houston Endorses Moratorium
Moratorium On Executions Needed (4/18/01)
System Has Flaws
HOUSTON, 4:23 p.m. CDT April 18, 2001 — We would like to believe that the state of Texas has never executed an innocent person. But it could happen.
Since 1975, 95 inmates in the U.S. — seven in Texas — have been released from death row after being found innocent.
Governor Perry found the need for post-conviction DNA testing so pressing that he designated legislation granting access to it an emergency.
Besides questions of accuracy, the justice system is under fire in Austin for unfairness. Lawmakers are working on a bill to raise standards for public defenders.
Now a senate resolution asks to set a two-year moratorium on executions while a special commission studies possible flaws in our criminal justice system.
Channel 2 thinks this is a good idea.
As long as we think the system has faults, we should hold off on dispensing lethal justice — until we are sure it is not a lethal mistake.
Copyright 2001 by Click2Houston.com.
- Texas Moratorium Network (TMN) is a non-profit organization with the primary goal of mobilizing statewide support for a moratorium on executions in Texas. Significant death penalty reform in Texas, including a moratorium on executions, is a viable goal if the public is educated on the death penalty system and is encouraged to contact their elected representatives to urge passage of moratorium legislation.
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