Did Texas Execute An Innocent Man?

@anniepa (27955)
United States
October 14, 2009 4:58pm CST
...and is Governor Perry now trying to cover it up by replacing three members of the Texas Forensic Science Commission who were investigating the case as they reached a crucial point in their investigation? Cameron Todd Willingham was convicted of the 1991 murder of his three daughters who died in a fire the jury was convinced had been arson. He was executed in 2004, despite evidence that the fire had not been arson. Here's an excerpt from the article for which I have provided the link below: The Beyler report concluded that the ruling of arson at the heart of Willingham's conviction "could not be sustained" by modern science or the standards of the time. The report, filed in August, said the state fire marshal who testified in Willingham's trial approached his job with an attitude "more characteristic of mystics or psychics" than with that of a detective who followed scientific standards. Here's the link (hope it's clickable!): http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/10/01/texas.execution.probe/index.html Here's more from the article: Innocence Project co-founder Barry Scheck compared the shake-up to the Watergate scandal's "Saturday Night Massacre," when embattled President Richard Nixon sought the removal of a special prosecutor investigating his administration. "Rather than let this important hearing go forward and the report be heard, the governor fires the independent chairman and two other members of this commission," Scheck said. "It's like Nixon firing Archibald Cox to avoid turning over the Watergate tapes." The Innocence Project seeks to help prisoners who were wrongfully convicted. Its 2006 report on the Willingham case concluded that "an innocent man was executed." That report led to Beyler being hired by the Forensic Science Commission to review the case. Neither Bassett nor Levy would say whether they believed political considerations were behind their replacement, though Bassett said in a written statement that the investigation should not be dropped "because there might be political ramifications." (End of excerpt) Any thoughts? Will this hurt Perry in his reelection bid or won't the people of Texas care if he knowingly executed an innocent man? Annie
1 response
• United States
15 Oct 09
I certainly hope that it does hurt his re-election bid. I hope that anyone from any state would be appalled at the thought of an innocent person being executed.
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