CNN: Texas' Gov. Perry's shakeup of execution investigation panel draws criticism

[gauguin57]

Perry replaced two people on the panel investigating the belief that bad forensic work caused the execution of an innocent man for arson-murder of his family.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/10/01/texas.execution.probe/index.html

Shakeup in Texas execution probe draws criticism, questions

(One replaced panel member says shakeup could stall the probe)

DALLAS, Texas (CNN) -- An investigation into claims that faulty evidence led Texas to execute a 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.

1 of 3 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.

Willingham was put to death for killing his three daughters in a fire that arson investigators said had been deliberately set.

Yet death-penalty opponents say an impartial review of the case could lead to an unprecedented admission -- that the state executed an innocent man.

[gratuitous]

1. The tenets of the High Church must not be examined too closely

Violence drives out violence; violence will redeem any situation; and violence will keep us safe.

[tabatha]

2. On another topic about Perry

From the BNO Newsroom.

MONTAGUE COUNTY, TEXAS (BNO NEWS) – Deputies with the Montague County Sheriff's Department have shot and killed a cousin of Texas Governor Rick Perry, officials told BNO News on Thursday.

The cousin was identified as 74-year-old Larry Don Wheeler. Montague County District Attorney Jack McGaughey told BNO News that sheriff's deputies initially responded to a 911 call of shots fired at his home at a Montague County country club on Saturday night.

When two deputies arrived on the scene, Wheeler, who was sitting on his backyard deck, pointed a shotgun at the officers and opened fire. One officer sustained a wound to his hand from the shots, McGaughey said. The officers then returned fire, and fatally shot Wheeler.

It was not immediately clear as to why Wheeler may have decided to open fire. The Texas Rangers, and an investigator from the Montague County District Attorney's Office is investigating the case. McGaughey said the sheriff's department is not involved in the investigation.

A spokeswoman for Governor Perry confirmed to BNO News that one of his cousins was killed but had no further information. It was also not clear why the governor did not decide to release the information earlier. Asked if the governor would release a statement, the spokeswoman said she was not sure. She also had no information about the relationship Perry may have had with Wheeler.

http://news.bnonews.com/m7md

[MajorChode]

3. Scheck is right, this is Gov. Goodhair's equivalent of the Saturday Night Massacre

Goodhair refused to grant a stay of execution when he was provided with strong evidence of Willingham's innocence. Now the blood is on his hands and he wants to delay the inevitable until after his election.

I can't even begin to tell you how evil this is.

[Wizard777]

4. The DOJ should investigate. If Texas executed an innocent man. There has to be civil rights issues.