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NEWS > U.S.A. > TEXAS GOVERNOR SAYS STATE HAS NEVER EXECUTED ANYONE
TEXAS GOVERNOR SAYS STATE HAS NEVER EXECUTED ANYONE
October 6 2009
Austin, TX – Capital Punishment has for decades been one of the most hotly debated and fiercely fought over issues in the American landscape. Over three decades since reinstatement across the country the debate hasn’t let up even as certain states 
pursue the option with gusto. There is no state in the union that has had more executions and thus more controversy than Texas, which year-in and year-out tops the charts, and almost single-handedly kept the death penalty alive throughout the country. Now though the Governor of the state has made an about face and change to official state policy by denying that any executions take place at all.
At issue is the 2004 execution of Cameron Todd Willingham who had been convicted of an arson that killed his three daughters. Later investigations found that there in fact had been no arson and that the state had executed an innocent man, something the Governor has sought to keep quiet it is believed for political purposes. Now though the Governor is denying all executions, claiming that the state does not and has not executed criminals, a denial that is being seen as a savvy political ploy as he attempts to secure his political future.
“Gov. Perry said that the change was ‘business as usual,’. Unfortunately, his words ring all too true. Willingham is not the first likely innocent person executed by the State of Texas. Others include Carlos De Luna and Ruben Cantu. But the state has never acknowledged any of these tragic mistakes. Business as usual, all right,” wrote the ACLU on its blog. “By denying the executions of these inmates they are simply sweeping the truth under the carpet and impinging on any efforts to engage in a serious discussion about the death penalty. He is downgrading the deaths of these men in an effort to gain cheap political points and he cannot be allowed to get away with it.”
The ACLU did not specify what kind of punishment they felt would be fit for the Governor. Governor Rick Perry reportedly denied the existence of the ACLU after the comments.
“The Governor has more or less ended any debate over the process of execution by simply denying its existence. He has effectively muted all criticism against the 
procedure both in Texas and throughout the country, something death penalty proponents have been trying to do for years. Now we see that the best tactic is not to argue for it, but to simply ignore it and it goes away,” said Scrape TV Crime analyst Willard Weston. “He has closed all commissions and halted any kind of inquiries into the death penalty system which will quite effectively shut down any criticism of the process. After all, if it doesn’t happen then no one can say anything. This will likely cost him a few votes amongst the Republican base but will appeal to liberals in the state which should add a few dozen votes to his total.”
Legally speaking it’s believed that the Governor may have stepped into hot water, putting him at risk for a number of charges related to his closing of the Willingham case. The Governor has also decided to ignore those concerns.
“Out of sight, out of mind very rarely works but it’s always worth a shot. I mean the worst that can happen is that he will lose his Governorship and be put in jail but it’s not like they are going to kill him or anything,” continued Weston. “Of course executions are still perfectly legal in the state and whether or not he denies their existence that doesn’t mean they will stop it just means it will no longer be a major political issue, something that in practical terms kills the entire debate.”
Lawmakers across the country are reportedly watching the Texas case and will weigh the benefits of complete denial.
Mike Michaels, American Correspondent
NEWS > U.S.A. > TEXAS GOVERNOR SAYS STATE HAS NEVER EXECUTED ANYONE
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