Urgent! Please take simple action to save Frances Newton! Hours!

[nofurylike]

"They're going to kill her, and you so called righteous people are going to sit back and let it happen." Dick Gregory

http://www.freefrances.org/

on that page is a link to write many at once. maybe all those legislators' finding all our emails there in the morning will urge them to act! many are acting, but many more must, immediately tomorrow morning!

please, the Free Frances website has made it very easy to act. please do! and please pass it on, tonight and through tomorrow!

also, for more info, and ongoing actions:
http://www.texasmoratorium.org/

thank you


peace...

[nofurylike]

1. "Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee Demands Reprieve..." Sep 13

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (18th District, Texas)

For Immediate Release; September 13, 2005
(Contact: Rebecca Gale - 202-225-3816)

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee Demands Reprieve from Execution for Frances Newton

Frances Newton set to be executed Wednesday; Congresswoman Jackson Lee asks for reprieve based on evidence of multiple weapons found

Washington, DC - Today, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee reiterated her request to State judicial officials for a stay of execution in the case of Frances Newton, whose execution is scheduled for Wednesday. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday refused to stop the execution and the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles voted 7-0 not to recommend that Governor Perry commute the sentence to life in prison. Newton was convicted for the murder on April 9, 1987 of her husband, Adrian Newton, 23, and their son, Alton, 7, and daughter, Farah, 2 for purpose of collecting life insurance policy proceeds for their deaths. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, member of the House Judiciary Committee, has been working with the Texas Innocence Network to get a favorable recommendation by the Board and expressed disappointment in the Board's recommendation. "The case of the prosecution was fraught with numerous and substantial discrepancies. Without additional time to conduct further investigation, there is a chance that an innocent woman will be executed," stated Congresswoman Jackson Lee.

"Considerable evidence exists to case doubt upon the guilt of Frances Newton. First, ballistics evidence used in the trial was processed by the Houston Police Department Crime Laboratory. We know from the vast accounts of erroneous prosecutions like Josiah Sutton and failed scientific analyses that its work is no longer credible or exclusively relied upon."

This morning, she discussed this decision and the impact that it, along with new federal legislation, will have on future capital cases in Texas in a press conference held at the Mickey Leland Federal Building . Regarding the relevance of federal legislation to the Newton case, Jackson Lee stated, "The provision that concerns Frances Newton the most is Title IV, which establishes rules for post-conviction DNA testing of Federal prison inmates and requires the preservation of biological evidence in Federal criminal cases while the defendant remains incarcerated. It provides incentive grants to States that adopt adequate procedures for providing post-conviction DNA testing and preserving biological evidence. Additionally, it authorizes funding to help States provide competent legal services for both the prosecution and the defense in death penalty cases and provides funds for post-conviction DNA testing."

The dollars that this legislation authorizes can be used to improve the function of Texas crime labs. We must diminish the number of erroneous prosecutions and executions, and we must have more accountability in the enforcement of the law. Hopefully, a reprieve will be granted today that will allow Frances Newton to prove her innocence so that the true perpetrator can be brought to justice," concluded Congresswoman Jackson Lee.

###

[Flying Dream Blues]

2. I did this and will be praying for Frances. God Bless her and her family.

[nofurylike]

6. thank you. eom

[TomInTib]

3. Who has the goods on Governor Goodhair's homosexual

relationship? Don't have the actual facts, but the innuendo might sideline this long enough. Raise the alarum!

[Der Blaue Engel]

4. This link from their site is creeping me out a little:

http://www.cbn.com/700club/features/Frances_Newton032805.asp

Are they behind the Save Frances campaign? If so, why? Is it because they believe her? Is it because she's a Christian? I thought they loved the death penalty. I'm very confused.

[Horse with no Name]

8. I don't care if Kermit the Frog is behind it

This is an injustice that must be corrected.
http://www.austinchronicle.com/issues/dispatch/2005-09-09/pols_feature3.html

Even a broken watch is right twice a day...this may be one of those times.

[nofurylike]

18. well said, thanks! eom

[rocktivity]

104. That's "Kermit THE Frog" to you, LOL!

But seriously, folks (From the Austin Chronicle):

...And she had the means, they say: a .25-caliber Raven Arms pistol she had allegedly stolen from a boyfriend's house....

...Newton and her defenders contend that Adrian, Farrah, and 7-year-old Alton were likely murdered by someone connected to a drug dealer to whom Adrian owed $1,500...

The second round of ballistics testing...supposedly confirmed a match between the gun prosecutors say Newton used and the bullets that killed her family. However, that match may be fundamentally undermined – because there is no certain connection between the gun and Newton.

"Supposedly confirmed a match?" I thought gun markings were like fingerprints. What is her alibi? And is there a "certain connection" between the gun and the boyfriend, or is there not?

:shrug:
rocknation

[nofurylike]

9. many who support her are of many faiths. please send the letter out. eom

[Der Blaue Engel]

22. What makes you think I didn't?

I wasn't implying I wouldn't support her, just trying to figure out what the hell Robertson is up to. I don't care what faith they profess to be, these people do nothing without an ulterior motive.

I remain creeped out.

[nofurylike]

31. thank you. eom

[hiley]

48. read this..

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=4757896&mesg_id=4757896

[Der Blaue Engel]

54. I've already read that; that has nothing to do with CBN

I'm wondering about CBN, the 700 Club, and what their agenda is. You can't for a minute expect me to believe they care about a poor, Black woman. I'm trying to figure out what their angle is.

Please don't assume I don't know anything about this case, or that I'm not fully supporting the effort to stop the execution just because my hackles are raised by this side issue. I'm just curious.

[hiley]

90. CBN does not matter to me What matters is Frances Newton...

I did not assume anything just trying to help Frances.
Be curious all you want, I have no problem with that just no time to figure out what CBN's angle is or do I care either.
What is important is to fax,email and call Gov. Rick Perry.
That is all I see right this minute.
Thank you,
hiley

Wednesday, September 14th, 2005
Texas Death Row Prisoner Scheduled to Die Today: Lawyers Seek Last-Minute Stay

AMY GOODMAN: We're joined on the phone by Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and also long-time death penalty activist Gloria Rubac. Gloria Rubac, you co-founded the website, Freefrances.org. Why are you calling for the stay of her execution? Frances Newton, convicted of killing her husband and two kids.

GLORIA RUBAC: We're calling for a stay, Amy, because there are so many unanswered questions in her case. We're calling for a stay because she had one of the worst lawyers that Harris County has appointed. He has sent 16 people to death row, including Shaka Sankofa. Frances is one of four that are still alive. And we are calling for a stay because just this summer, the District Attorney admitted on camera that there were more than one gun recovered from this crime, and they have denied this for 18 years. So, given the lack of representation, the prosecutorial misconduct, you can't execute people when there's these doubts. And also, the Houston police crime lab, which has been discredited, processed evidence in her case.

snip---
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=05/09/14/1348217
http://www.commondreams.org/news2005/0912-08.htm

NOW: e-mail multiple selected elected officials at ONCE !!!
http://www.freefrances.org /

You may hear
Audio/Video Files:
http://www.freefrances.org/Materials.htm#multimedia

Do not execute Frances Newton!
TEXAS
Sept. 14, 2005
Send emails and fax here as well
http://www.demaction.org/dia/organizations/ncadp/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=1132

You can call and ask Gov. Perry for a 30 day stay of execution
512-463-2000.

PRAYERS FOR THE LIFE OF FRANCES NEWTON AND THE VICTIMS OF KATRINA

For Immediate Release, Sept. 14, 2005


This is to notify the media that multiple ministers from across the city of Houston
will be coming together at 1p.m. today, to show their solidarity and pray for the
life of Frances Newton and the victims of Katrina. Songs of Hope and Inspiration
will be rendered by the musicians from the Brookhollow Bapt. church. Simultaneously,
various Houston churches will be conducting prayers for Frances' innocent life to be
spared.


Amongst the ministers attending the gathering will be:

snip---
http://www.freefrances.org/Pray20050914.htm

[TomInTib]

11. Saw the link. Frances is black. 'Nuff said. Isn't it usually white

women who kill their kids...and DON'T get the death penalty? This is appalling.

[nofurylike]

21. yes. "appalling"!!! thank you. eom

[MnFats]

17. 700 Club's love of death penalty softened with Karla Faye Tucker..

...
another Texas woman condemned for murder. There was no question of her innocence... she admitted whacking two people with a pickaxe.
Pat Robertson got involved, begged bush etc. not to let her die because she'd become a christian...

Karla Faye is the woman Bush mocked: "Please don't kill me..."

it's more than a little hypocritical of Robertson and his 700 club to support the plight of christian convicts.....and only female convicts....A male muslim? Pat Robertson says get out the lethal chemicals.

[nofurylike]

24. please send the letter? thank you. eom

[FreedomAngel82]

29. That is disgusting

:mad: Simply amazing. Ugh! I hate people like that.

[Horse with no Name]

5. Done.

And sent out urgently on email list.

[nofurylike]

7. thank you! eom

[Trevelyan]

15. Done

Why haven't we heard of this before? Thank you for trying to save another innocent life.

[nofurylike]

33. thank you. others have posted this here. and it's already years later

than Frances SHOULD have gotten a new trial!

i tell you, i thought they'd give her one by now. many did. naive. sigh.

peace

[GreenPartyVoter]

10. Done

------------------------------------------------------
URGENT yet easy! Hold the government accountable for Katrina's aftermath
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4736062

Save the gulf, then save the nation! http://www.geocities.com/greenpartyvoter/electionreform.htm

[nofurylike]

14. thank you. eom

[GreenPartyVoter]

19. You bet!

[nofurylike]

28. kind! eom

[mike_c]

12. done.

eom

[nofurylike]

26. thank you. eom

[wtmusic]

13. Thought the Free Frances website has made it very easy to act

they have made it very difficult to find out anything about her case.

:(

[nofurylike]

35. thank you. and for posting how easy to act. rep lee's release has many

of the most important details. (posted above)


peace

[hiley]

91. What, I don't get it there are videos of her interviews

on the web site and much more. Look at this thread and see if it has the infomation you are wondering about and please send emails,faxes and call Gov. Rick Perry.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=4757896&mesg_id=4757896

NOW: e-mail multiple selected elected officials at ONCE !!!
http://www.freefrances.org /

You may hear
Audio/Video Files:
http://www.freefrances.org/Materials.htm#multimedia

Do not execute Frances Newton!
TEXAS
Sept. 14, 2005
Send emails and fax here as well
http://www.demaction.org/dia/organizations/ncadp/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=1132
You can call and ask Gov. Perry for a 30 day stay of execution
512-463-2000.

Thursday, August 25th, 2005
From Death Row: Texas Set to Execute First African-American Woman Since Civil War
From DemocracyNow!

Two Dutch journalists recently interviewed the state prosecutor in charge of Newton's case. In that interview, Assistant District Attorney Roe Wilson contradicted a key piece of evidence that led to Newton's conviction. While prosecutors linked one gun to Newton, it now appears that there was a second gun that was never tested in a crime lab.

Texas leads the nation in the number of executions performed since the moratorium on capital punishment was lifted in 1974. Almost half of the people on death row in Texas are African-American though only 12 percent of the population is. And in Harris County, where Frances Newton is from, the police crime lab is notorious for botching capital cases.

Another hurdle in Newton's case was her state-appointed attorney. She was originally represented by the infamous defense attorney Ron Mock, who has lost so many capital cases that he is known as "death row Mock." At least sixteen of Mock's clients have gone to death row and he has never won an acquittal in a capital case. He has been suspended from the bar twice. A colleague in Frances Newton's case says Mock told her that he had not thoroughly examined the evidence. In another high profile capital case, Mock is known to have fallen asleep while defending Shaka Sankofa, or Gary Graham, in court.

http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=05/08/25/1342238

DEATH ROW MOCK
Off the kuff
Feb.12, 2005
snip--
Mock handled 19 capital murder cases between 1986 and 2001, and 16 of his clients ended up on death row. More than 10 have been executed, records show.

He stopped accepting court-appointed capital murder cases in 2001, after a new state law set stricter requirements for indigent capital defense.

"I was tired of the heat, so I got out of the kitchen," Mock said in an interview last year.

Several death row inmates he represented claimed on appeal that Mock did not represent them adequately.

Most recently, Frances Newton of Harris County said Mock met with her several times but never thoroughly discussed with her the case involving the 1987 murders of her husband and two children.

snip--
http://www.offthekuff.com/mt/archives/004933.html

[Book Lover]

16. Done (nm)

[nofurylike]

38. thank you again! eom

[fortyfeetunder]

20. Dick Gregory...a long time voice in Civil Rights

He has long been the voice for the disenfranchised, because he was among them. An interesting person to watch. I am glad he's also taking up the cause for Frances.

I read his autobiography N****** a few years after it came out. It is a must read, chronicling his childhood to his early days as a comedian and civil rights activist. If anything, for this young elementary school kid, made me appreciate all I had and gave hope for a future.

"Gregory’s autobiography, N*****, was published in 1963 prior to The assassination of President Kennedy, and became the number one best-selling book in America. Over the decades it has sold in excess of seven million copies. His choice for the title was explained in the forward, where Dick Gregory wrote a note to his mother. “Whenever you hear the word ‘N*****’,” he said, “you’ll know their advertising my book.”

[nofurylike]

40. yes! thank you, and for the great word on Dick Gregory! eom

[incapsulated]

23. Done n/t

[nofurylike]

41. thank you. eom

[TomInTib]

25. Gov. Goodhair Perry's phone number is: 512.463.2000. Of course

his mail box is full, but please keep trying.

[nofurylike]

43. thank you for posting that info! yes, "please keep trying." eom

[Tim4319]

27. done

[nofurylike]

44. thank you. eom

[applegrove]

30. Death teaches death. Don't know of her or why she is in jail. Forget

that - she should be put out to work hard for the next 50 years. That is the humane thing to do.

[Der Blaue Engel]

42. Well if she's innocent, that's hardly humane

It's easy to find out more by just clicking the OP's links.

[nofurylike]

46. yes! thank you! eom

[applegrove]

59. Yes for sure. I don't often follow links to things I cannot read about

from multiple sources.

Anyway - capital punishment not like

[nofurylike]

45. please do read about her case. i agree, tho, "Death teaches death" eom

[ClayZ]

32. Done Kicked and Nominated

:kick:

[nofurylike]

49. thank you! eom

[Erika]

34. done again

[nofurylike]

50. thank you! eom

[buzzsaw_23]

36. done-need more nominations n/t

[nofurylike]

51. thank you! eom

[acmavm]

37. I had a long post all typed up but then I figured what the hell. What can

you say? Texas likes to execute. I doubt that this will do much good. I certainly hope so. But I'm getting very pessimistic about the state of this country. And those Texas republicans, they do love an execution.

[nofurylike]

55. we have stopped others. please send a letter? thank you. eom

[hiley]

39. have a lot of info on Frances at this link..

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=4757896&mesg_id=4757896

Videos of Frances as well at link.

[nofurylike]

56. yes! hiley! thank you, and for all you do! inspirational! eom

[hiley]

87. I hope Congress can stop Rick Perry from this

execution!

[demgrrrll]

47. Done. eom

[nofurylike]

58. thank you. eom

[kitkat65]

52. Done! n/t

[nofurylike]

60. thank you. eom

[il_lilac]

53. done and kicked

with a hope and a prayer

[nofurylike]

61. "with a hope and a prayer" yes! thank you! eom

[fed-up]

57. Done and kicked eom

[nofurylike]

62. thank you! eom

[lildreamer316]

63. DONE.

Scary scary stuff.

[nofurylike]

68. yes. very "scary scary stuff"! thank you.! eom

[slay]

64. DONE!

This is but one reason why we must stop the so called death penalty. (I call it murder.) :mad:

[nofurylike]

69. yes! yes, it is murder. we must start charging and prosecuting, first of

all where they know there is doubt, and refuse new trials, or evidence.

as in the case of Frances.

thank you.


peace

[Pushed To The Left]

70. This type of thing is what finally changed my stance

on capital punishment. I believe in being extremely tough on violent crime, but I'm not willing to kill an innocent person. If we make life in prison the ultimate punishment, we can release those that have been wrongly convicted. If we execute an innocent person, then there is no way to correct the mistake.

[slay]

73. That is the winning argument

against the "death penalty" in my opinion. No way to correct any possible mistake.

[nofurylike]

79. yes! thank you! eom

[hiley]

88. I agree with you it is state sanctioned murder

and it is sadistic and wrong
call 512.463.2000 and ask Gov. Perry for a stay of execution, please.

[spuddonna]

65. Done and thank you!

This is the first I've heard of this case! We're praying for her... :(

[nofurylike]

71. thank you! eom

[fortyfeetunder]

66. kick for the night owls

:kick:

[nofurylike]

72. thank you! eom

[KT2000]

67. Done and kick!

this is so awful.

[nofurylike]

75. yes! "this is so awful" YES!!! thank you! eom

[Pushed To The Left]

74. Done! n/t

[nofurylike]

76. thank you. eom

[nofurylike]

77. Please, everyone call Gov. Perry today. urgent!

phone number is: 512.463.2000.

thank you.


peace

[ladylibertee]

78. I did... it's 2:45 CDT I hope they recieve it

[nofurylike]

81. thank you. i hope so too! eom

[Humor_In_Cuneiform]

80. Done and voted for greatest

[nofurylike]

82. thank you! please, everyone, keep on this all day! write. call. eom

[Humor_In_Cuneiform]

86. I just called too [phone]

"The parole board voted 7-0 not to stop the execution. Governor Perry is being asked to issue a 30 day stay (He only has the power to issue a 30 day stay now, because of the negative parole board vote). An appeal has also been filed with the U.S. Supreme Court..

Call the Governor's Main Switchboard at [phone] and urge him to issue a 30 day stay for Newton."


http://www.texasmoratorium.org/

[VOX]

83. Done. With hope. n/t

[buzzsaw_23]

84. kick n/t

[Talismom]

85. done and forwarded; thanks for posting n/t

[hiley]

89. Kick

:argh: Call Gov. Rick Perry ask for a stay of execution
512-463-2000.

[nofurylike]

92. thank you, hiley! going crazy. everyone please call the governor!! eom

[hiley]

93. we are getting the word out

with everyones help I hope..

[nofurylike]

94. so many are trying, pleading. that's part of what is so insane in this.

the parole board?!! pure, clear-cut racism.

keep on, hiley. with you.


peace

[Flying Dream Blues]

95. Did this yesterday. Kick! nt

[hiley]

96. Please write Govenor Rick Perry again

Thank you

http://www.governor.state.tx.us/contact
Call Gov.Perry
512- 463- 2000
for a stay and new trial.

NOW: e-mail multiple selected elected officials at ONCE !!!
http://www.freefrances.org /

You may hear
Audio/Video Files:
http://www.freefrances.org/Materials.htm#multimedia

Do not execute Frances Newton!
TEXAS
Sept. 14, 2005
Send emails and fax here as well
National Coalition to Abloish The Death Penalty (NCADP)
http://www.demaction.org/dia/organizations/ncadp/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=1132
You can call and ask Gov. Perry for a 30 day stay of execution
512-463-2000.
Mulitple emails at this site..
http://www.freefrances.org /

[Flying Dream Blues]

106. Done again...everyone please help this woman! nt

[sonias]

97. done

Praying for a miracle but this is Rick Perry's Texas, and he like bu$h are killers.

Sonia

[nofurylike]

103. thank you! please keep on! yes, they are killers. send them wisdom! eom

[arikara]

98. Done

nt

[nofurylike]

105. thank you! eom

[AllyCat]

99. Done

[graywarrior]

100. done

[OneForLuck]

101. done!!

[faithnotgreed]

102. kick - thanks nofury

prayers for frances and family....

[hiley]

107. Kick

her execution is set for 6p.m.
Please call Gov. Rick Perry 512-463-2000
edit time..

[hiley]

109. call Gov.Perry 512-463-2000 Frances is running out of time

In such a world of conflict, a world of victims and executioners, it is the job of thinking people, not to be on the side of the executioners. Albert Camus..

http://cason.seo-blog.org /

[0007]

108. done

[hiley]

110. goodbye Frances Elaine Newton

In such a world of conflict,
a world of victims and executioners,
it is the job of thinking people,
not to be on the side of the executioners.
Albert Camus.

may you have peace now..