Supreme Court halts killer's execution in Texas

[Contrary1]

HUNTSVILLE, Texas — The U.S. Supreme Court Thursday halted the execution of a black man convicted of a double murder in Texas 16 years ago after his lawyers contended his sentence was unfair because of a question asked about race during his trial.

Duane Buck, 48, was spared from lethal injection when the justices, without comment, said they would review an appeal in his case.

Two appeals, both related to a psychologist's testimony that black people were more likely to commit violence, were before the court. One was granted. The other denied.

<snip>

The reprieve came nearly two hours into a six-hour window when Buck could have been taken to the death chamber. Texas officials, however, refused to move forward with the punishment while legal issues were pending.


More: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44532921/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/

[malaise]

1. There are over 300 prisoners on death row in the state of Texas

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/interactive/2011/sep/15/texas-death-row-prisoners

[RandySF]

2. It's a scientific fact that Rick Perry is prone to stupid.

[socialshockwave]

3. If he killed those people, he should suffer the ultimate punishment.

Some stupid question about race doesn't excuse guilt.

Black, white, man, woman - wrong is wrong.

[Name removed]

5. Deleted message

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[Name removed]

8. Deleted sub-thread

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[BzaDem]

6. Really? If the Constitution was violated in the sentencing phase, we should ignore that?

No one is talking about excusing his guilt. They are looking at whether the penalty phase was conducted in conformance with the Constitution.

[BuddhaGirl]

7. the fact that the US still has the DP while many other industrialized

nations have abolished it is pathetic.

He would "suffer" enough with life in prison. State-sponsored murder is wrong.

[socialshockwave]

9. I should add. I'm conflicted on the death penalty

On one hand I see it as deserving for serious crimes; why keep the taxpayer paying for serial killers, paedophiles and rapists for the rest of their lives.

But on the other hand, I know it's not a deterrent. But it is US Law...and if the question is a Constitutional one, then I recant my earlier words.

[TheDebbieDee]

12. My problem with the death penalty is that many defendants

can't afford competent representation. Public defenders are often overworked and are not always in posession of the resources needed to prove an innocent defendent's innocence.

Another problem that I have with the death penalty is that it is, I believe, disproportionately meted out to black and brown convicts.

[justabob]

14. that is my issue too

I think the two things you specified are part a and part b of the same problem. If there weren't *so* many people (mostly brown and black) being exonerated after spending 10, 15, 20 year sentences in jail (death penalty cases, but other murder, rape and aggravated crimes) I might feel better about it. Dallas and Harris Counties have released a lot of people in recent years that were wrongly convicted. I shudder to think how many folks are rotting in jail for felonies of all varieties they did not commit.

[theophilus]

13. I agree. Life. Without. Parole. n/t

[dennis4868]

4. awww shuckkks...

now the repubs will not be able to cheer for another execution...thanks alot SUPREME COURT! :-(

[Gregorian]

10. Hello! Can we get this for Troy Davis please?

[Marrah_G]

11. Good