For several weeks Governor Rick Perry has been at the center of a controversy that just keeps getting uglier. Plenty of blame can be placed directly on the Governor himself.
It involves a Death Penalty case where arson testimony was used to help convict a man, named Todd Willingham, of setting his home on fire and killing his children inside. Without question it was a gruesome situation - but a new review of the evidence now indicates it may not have been arson . That's where the facts in this case begin to get fuzzy even though Governor Perry confidently claims Willingham was "...a monster who deserved to die."
More than a half dozen forensic experts disagree, however, at least from the standpoint of whether the evidence proves Willingham was an "arsonist" who intentionally set the fire.
Why does it matter? Simple. No arson = No crime.
In other words, the State of Texas under Governor Perry's watch may have executed an innocent man. To make sure that didn't happen the state's Forensic Science Commission conducted an investigation which included hiring arson expert Craig Beylar. Beylar, like six other fire experts before him, concluded that Willingham could not have set the fire, as alleged.
Ironically, it was almost an identical case to that of Ernest Willis who was also on death row for an arson related murder at the very same time. But Willis had access to money while inmate Willingham did not. So, after an estimated $12 million in legal fees and 5 years of court battles Willis was set free while Willingham put to death.
His lawyers tried to delay his execution by making a last minute plea to the Governor just 88 minutes before Willingham was scheduled to die. That much we do know. What we don't know, however, is what - if anything - the Governor was told about the new evidence or at what time he received his briefing.
The Governor was reportedly out of town at the time and so far has refused to release any "records" or "briefing papers" that might help fill in the gaps. The state's Forensic Science Commission's investigation was also halted because Perry replaced several members before it was ever completed.
Remember, this IS NOT an argument for or against the death penalty. It is simply a plea to encourage Governor Perry to release ALL public records that will show what was or was not done before Texas' deadly cocktail of chemicals was ever administered.
So, why won't he release them? Governor Perry argues the documents are exempt from public disclosure because he says they fall within the "attorney-client priviledge."
Former Death Row Inmate Ernest Willis, however, has a different explanation. In an exclusive interview with Texas Monthly's Michael Hall, Willis says Governor Perry is "...afraid they killed an innocent man on his watch..." and says the Governor "...should own up to it and say, ' hey we made a mistake.'" Willis also says there's no doubt in his mind Willingham was innocent of the arson and says he knows of five other inmates still on death row who he believes are also wrongfully convicted. Now a free man himself, escaping the death chamber with expert arson testimony just five years ago, Willis is now calling for an execution moratorium in Texas.
Oh yea, the Governor's General Counsel was also cleared of an arson indictment - based on testimony - from after-the-fact arson investigation experts.
It involves a Death Penalty case where arson testimony was used to help convict a man, named Todd Willingham, of setting his home on fire and killing his children inside. Without question it was a gruesome situation - but a new review of the evidence now indicates it may not have been arson . That's where the facts in this case begin to get fuzzy even though Governor Perry confidently claims Willingham was "...a monster who deserved to die."
More than a half dozen forensic experts disagree, however, at least from the standpoint of whether the evidence proves Willingham was an "arsonist" who intentionally set the fire.
Why does it matter? Simple. No arson = No crime.
In other words, the State of Texas under Governor Perry's watch may have executed an innocent man. To make sure that didn't happen the state's Forensic Science Commission conducted an investigation which included hiring arson expert Craig Beylar. Beylar, like six other fire experts before him, concluded that Willingham could not have set the fire, as alleged.
Ironically, it was almost an identical case to that of Ernest Willis who was also on death row for an arson related murder at the very same time. But Willis had access to money while inmate Willingham did not. So, after an estimated $12 million in legal fees and 5 years of court battles Willis was set free while Willingham put to death.
His lawyers tried to delay his execution by making a last minute plea to the Governor just 88 minutes before Willingham was scheduled to die. That much we do know. What we don't know, however, is what - if anything - the Governor was told about the new evidence or at what time he received his briefing.
The Governor was reportedly out of town at the time and so far has refused to release any "records" or "briefing papers" that might help fill in the gaps. The state's Forensic Science Commission's investigation was also halted because Perry replaced several members before it was ever completed.
Remember, this IS NOT an argument for or against the death penalty. It is simply a plea to encourage Governor Perry to release ALL public records that will show what was or was not done before Texas' deadly cocktail of chemicals was ever administered.
So, why won't he release them? Governor Perry argues the documents are exempt from public disclosure because he says they fall within the "attorney-client priviledge."
Former Death Row Inmate Ernest Willis, however, has a different explanation. In an exclusive interview with Texas Monthly's Michael Hall, Willis says Governor Perry is "...afraid they killed an innocent man on his watch..." and says the Governor "...should own up to it and say, ' hey we made a mistake.'" Willis also says there's no doubt in his mind Willingham was innocent of the arson and says he knows of five other inmates still on death row who he believes are also wrongfully convicted. Now a free man himself, escaping the death chamber with expert arson testimony just five years ago, Willis is now calling for an execution moratorium in Texas.
Oh yea, the Governor's General Counsel was also cleared of an arson indictment - based on testimony - from after-the-fact arson investigation experts.
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