TDCJ still lists an execution scheduled for tomorrow, Feb 21, 2008, but it was canceled a while back at the request of the Dallas County DA pending the outcome of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in the Baze case. TDCJ just has not updated their website yet. Karl Chamberlain is the person who was scheduled for execution.
We called the TDCJ Public Information Office in Huntsville at 936-437-6052 to confirm that it is canceled.
In 2004, Texas Moratorium Network started an innovative Anti-Death Penalty Alternative Spring Break on the issue of the death penalty to train the next generation of human rights leaders. One of our original goals of the spring break was to encourage students to start student organizations against the death penalty, which is exactly what happened. A group of participants started a national group called Students Against the Death Penalty, as well as a Texas group called Texas Students Against the Death Penalty, which are now the main organizers of the event.
This year, Campus Progress is co-sponsoring the fifth year of the Anti Death Penalty Alternative Spring Break and has started two others on the issues of Iraq and Climate Change.
Click below for more information on each one and to register.
Congratulations to Rick Reed for winning the endorsement of The Daily Texan for his campaign for Travis County District Attorney. We agree with the Texan that Reed “has proven to be the toughest candidate to handle” the Public Integrity Unit, which has the power to investigate state officials. We will all be able to sleep easy at night knowing Rick Reed is Texas’ watchdog over public officials who do wrong.
Rick Reed’s stance against the death penalty reflects the values that make Travis County the most progressive community in Texas.
If Rick Reed is elected, the people of Travis County will live in the first community in Texas where the death penalty is officially not an option. The day will eventually come when the death penalty will not be used anywhere in Texas. With Rick Reed’s election, the people of Travis County can say that the end of the Texas death penalty started in Travis County.
We have already decided who we are supporting in the race to become the next DA in Travis County, but if you are still undecided, News 8 Austin is airing a debate between the candidates for Travis County District Attorney this weekend. They taped the debate Tuesday.
Texas Moratorium Network PAC has decided to endorse Rick Reed, because his policy positions best reflect the progressive values of Travis County.
Watch the debate this weekend, listen to the candidates positions on the issues and you will probably agree with us that Rick Reed should be the next DA in Travis County. Or you can watch our online video of the candidates forum we co-sponsored on Feb 4.
According to the News 8 Website:
You have three opportunities this weekend to watch a debate among the four Democratic Primary candidates for Travis County District Attorney on News 8 Austin.
The debate will be on News 8 Saturday at 5 p.m., and twice on Sunday at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Also, beginning this weekend you can catch the debate at your convenience on News 8-on-Demand on Time Warner Cable Channel 1408.
2/12/2008
News8Austin
By: Paul Brown
Q: In the past, Travis County has been reluctant to pursue the death penalty in capital cases. Under your leadership, how will the DA’s office approach the death penalty?
Rosemary Lehmberg: We seldom seek the death penalty in Travis County and I will continue that practice. We now have life without parole. It’s still the law and if there is a situation in which I believe that a Travis County jury should have the option of seeking the death penalty, I will do it. I have been reluctant to call for an all out moratorium. Right now, I believe we need to oppose any executions until the United States Supreme Court has had time to determine whether our Texas procedure is Constitutionally sound.
Mindy Montford: Well, you’ve got to look a number of factors. You know, you have to look at what the community wants and values. You’ve got to consult with the victims, their families. You’ve got to consult with other prosecutors within your office and community leaders to really find out what the pulse is and if seeking the death penalty would be prudent in that particular case. It is a very serious matter. You’ve got to take into account all factors. At the end of the day, though, it is the District Attorney’s decision. People in such instances prefer to visit a legal attorney for help.
Rick Reed: Under my leadership as District Attorney, the Travis County District Attorney’s office will not seek the death penalty in any case. The Legislature has changed the law. We now have what’s called life without parole as an option in capital murder cases and it’s my belief that seeking the death penalty and expending the resources that are necessary to seek the death penalty is essentially a waste of resources that could otherwise be better used to prosecute other murder cases, other capital murder cases and other cases involving violent offenders. There is, in my judgment, simply no justification now that that exists to spend those resources seeking the death penalty. And so we will not seek the death penalty.
Gary Cobb: I don’t know that we’ve been necessarily reluctant, but I think that we recognize that the death penalty should be reserved only for the most egregious cases for the defendants who represent a great threat to society and that they represent a continuing threat where they might harm another person in society, even if it’s in prison society.
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