If you can not read the embedded document below, click here to read it on DocStoc.
Below is the report by Dr Craig Beyler, which is also here.
The video below is the report that aired on CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360, Friday October 2, 2009. Scott Cobb of Texas Moratorium Network is interviewed in the report.
If you can not see the video embedded, below click here to watch it on YouTube.
If you can not see the embedded video below, watch it on YouTube.
LAS COLINAS (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
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(9/30/2009)
The state of Texas faces an embarrassing predicament. A report criticizing the evidence that led to the execution of a Corsicana man was supposed to be presented today in front of a state panel in Las Colinas. But last minute changes by the governor cancelled the hearing.
The report could ultimately force Texas to be the first state in the nation to admit it executed an innocent man.
Cameron Todd Willingham was put to death for setting fire to his Corsicana home in 1991. The fire killed his three little girls.
Five years after he died from lethal injection, Willingham’s execution is receiving national attention. At the KRLD studios in Dallas former death row inmate Kerry Cook took to the airwaves Friday, demanding that the state fess up.
“I think it’s a mistake. I think it’s going to backfire. I believe the state of Texas and its people do care about the execution of an innocent person. I’m glad to see this controversy.”
Cook was released from death row in 1997 after the evidence that convicted him of rape and murder was discredited. He’s now part of a growing movement that believes Texas must right a terrible wrong.
“We should be able to have the same logic and reasoning and courage and integrity to acknowledge that we made a mistake.”
The controversy elevated this week after Governor Rick Perry abruptly removed three members from the Texas Forensic Science Commission.
The commission was supposed to discuss the findings of a report by Dr. Craig Beyler; one of the nation’s top arson experts. Dr. Beyler was hired by the commission and was scheduled to appear Friday before the panel in Las Colinas.
The report is highly critical of the arson investigation in the Willingham case. It concluded that the evidence lacked scientific backing. Dr. Beyler’s report could be quite damning to Governor Perry since he was in office in 2004 when Willingham was put to death.
Aliece watts is a forensic scientist from burleson and was one of the three people removed from the commission.
“I’m very frustrated and upset as well… I believe this was political. I think it was a tactic by the governor to delay the release of this report and to delay this investigation.”
Governor Perry says replacing the board members is standard practice when their terms are nearly up. His new choice to head the commission is Williamson County DA John Bradley, who has promised to “Let the facts lead us to wherever they do.”
Friday’s cancelled meeting has yet to be rescheduled.
In 2006, CNN’s Anderson Cooper first covered the Todd Willingham case. Tonight, they are looking again at the case after Texas Governor Rick Perry replaced the chair and two other members of the Texas Forensic Science Commission two days before a now-canceled meeting at which the commission was scheduled to discuss the report.
Program Note: Tune in tonight for Randi Kaye’s report on the case. AC360° 10 p.m. ET, 9 PM Central Time.
One of the guests on the program tonight is Scott Cobb, president of Texas Moratorium Network.
From CNN:
An investigation into claims that faulty evidence led Texas to execute an innocent man in 2004 was at a “crucial point” when the state’s governor replaced three of its members this week, one of the three said Thursday.
Gov. Rick Perry’s shake-up of the Texas Forensic Science Commission came two days before it was to hear from the author of a scathing report in the case of Cameron Todd Willingham. That Friday session has been postponed indefinitely in the wake of Perry’s new appointments, and critics of the governor accused him of trying to quash the Willingham probe.
Hank Gilbert, Democratic candidate for Texas governor, posted the following statement on his website concerning Governor Rick Perry’s removal of three members of the Texas Forensic Science Commission, which is looking into the Todd Willingham case:
“Governor Perry’s decision to remove and replace three very competent members of the Texas Forensic Science Commission with three partisan ideologues should surprise absolutely no one.
This was a political decision by a Governor who wanted avoid criticism of the horrendous record Texas has regarding the execution of the innocent. The Governor’s decision should make it crystal clear to every Texan that justice in this state is controlled by the whims of an out-of-control Governor desperate to retain his grip on power.
Governor Perry’s actions were wholly unacceptable. Texas deserves better.”
- 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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