On Guard

Yosvanis Valle was executed in Texas on Tuesday, November 10, 2009

In his final statement, Yosvanis Valle apologized for the 1999 robbery-murder of Houston drug dealer Jose Junco and assured his family he was ready to die for his crime. “I am sorry with all my heart,” he said moments before the lethal drugs began to flow. “That's the reality of life. I am sorry. I got to pay for it.” Turning to face the witness chamber containing members of his family, Valle said, “I love you, be strong. ... Thank you, brother, don't hate nobody. I feel good. I love my family. I love you, Jesus. Be strong, Mama.” May he rest in peace.

John Allen Muhammad was executed in Virginia on Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Muhammad's attorneys had asked Gov. Timothy M. Kaine to commute his sentence to life in prison because they said Muhammad had brain damage and neurological problems, as well as psychotic and delusional behavior, exacerbated by the Gulf War Syndrome he suffered as a sergeant in the first Iraq war.

Muhummad made no final statement. May he rest in peace.

CALL TIME ON THE DEATH PENALTY!

Below is an updated list of those at risk through November to December. Please give them all your support. Also, please remember those asking for cards, letters and friendship.

Pending Executions: Updated Nov 11th

November

17 Larry Bill Elliott - Virginia - contact Gov. Kaine
17 Gerald Eldridge - Texas - contact Gov. Perry

18 Danielle Simpson - Texas (volunteer)
19 Robert Thompson - Texas - contact Gov. Perry

December

2 Cecil Johnson Jr. - Tennessee - contact Gov. Phil Bredesen

3 Bobby Woods - Texas - contact Gov. Perry

8 Kenneth Biros - Ohio - STAYED
9 Devin Banks - Tennessee - contact Gov. Phil Bredesen

11 Eric Wrinkles - Indiana - contact Gov. 

Khristian Oliver was executed in Texas on Thursday, November 5, 2009

Khristian Oliver’s attorneys argued that Nacogdoches County jurors improperly took Bibles into deliberations without the knowledge of the trial judge. Oliver’s appeals attorney, David Dow, said there is nothing wrong with people taking their religious values into the jury room. "But they must take great care to ensure that, in sentencing a murderer, they follow Texas law rather than religious law, and in this case, the jurors did not do so," he said. Gov. Rick Perry refused to stop the execution.

"I know you’re not going to get the closure you are looking for," Oliver told his victim’s children, who watched through a window a few feet from him. "I wish you the best." He said he prayed for them "every day and every night" and offered them "only the warmest wishes."

Then after telling his parents, watching through an adjacent window, that he loved them, he began praying the Psalm: "The Lord is my shepherd. . ." May he rest in peace.

Amnesty appeal for Khristian Oliver - your last chance to join it

The duty of a jury, even a Texas one, is to pass judgment and sentence according to the evidence and rule of law - not according to religious or other belief. There has been a clear violation of process in this case which must not be allowed to stand:

http://www.amnesty.org.uk/news_details.asp?NewsID=18483

Khristian Oliver will die tonight unless Gov. Perry is persuaded to issue a Stay of execution, and refer the case back to the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles.

Remembering Gregory Wright

Greg's friends and family remember Greg every minute of every day, but today marks his wrongful death by the state of Texas, exactly one year ago. For news and more please visit http://www.freegregwright.com

Video report from the 10th annual March to Abolish the Death Penalty, Austin, TX

Reginald Blanton was executed in Texas on Tuesday, 27th October 2009

Reginald Blanton, on death row since 2001, was the 19th prisoner to be executed this year in Texas, the nation's busiest death penalty state. He was the third from Bexar County. In final words he thanked his supporters, told his victim's family that he understood their pain and decried the drugs used to put him to death. "Carlos was my friend." he said. May he rest in peace.

Please make one phone call to help Reginald Blanton

"Hello everyone, my friend Reginald Blanton, another innocent african-american on Texas death row is scheduled to be executed on Tuesday. I am asking if you could please call Governor Perry tomorrow and/or Tuesday and ask him to stop the execution of Reginald Blanton, an innocent man scheduled for execution on Tuesday October 27^th. One phone call will make a difference and it will only take one minute of your time; I am attaching a bit of info on Reginald’s case for you to read. I hope you can help us. Thank you so much!

Perry’s office: 512-463-1782 or (512) 463-2000  (office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CST)



Reginald’s case, like many other Texas death row cases, is riddled with injustices. He was convicted based on coerced testimony with no physical evidence; his court appointed attorney did not provide adequate defense; he was convicted by an all-white jury and subjected to a jury shuffle which purposefully excluded African-American jurors.  Reginald has an execution date of October 27th, but with enough public outcry and pressure, we can save his life!

Reginald’s case is important not just because he is innocent; not just because the death penalty targets people of color and the poor. Reginald is also an activist and a leader on death row. He help found the DRIVE Movement (www.drivemovement. org) which has held numerous hunger strikes and protests on death row. He is an inspiration to both death row inmates and human rights activists.

Now is the time to put the pressure on. The Texas Death Penalty and Rick Perry, in particular, have come under public scrutiny because of the 2004 execution of Cameron Todd Willingham. Willingham was executed for a fire that killed three of his children. The Texas Forensic Science Commission recently discovered that the fire was accidental, making Cameron Todd Willingham INNOCENT. Perry has since tried to cover up this state-sponsored murder by changing around the personnel on the Commission. We cannot let Perry kill another innocent man!

"  - Gloria C.

http://drivemovement.org/

http://www.myspace.com/freereggieb

Mark McClain was executed in Georgia on October 20th, 2009

Tuesday night, Mark McClain was executed by lethal injection in the state of Georgia. Georgians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, took to the streets around the same time McClain was pronounced dead.  This was one of nine protests across the state tonight against the his execution.May he rest in peace.