Texan Set for Execution Tonight, 2nd Since Debate Crowd Cheered Deaths
EmailOriginal blog: Barring a last minute reprieve from the Supreme Court, Duane Buck tonight will become the second Texan executed since Gov. Rick Perry received cheers for Texas’ death penalty during a Republican debate last week at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California.
When the moderator pointed out that Perry had authorized 234 executions during his tenure, the crowd cheered in approval.
Buck is scheduled to be executed at 6 p.m. Texas time.
Steven Woods, executed Tuesday, became the first Texas prisoner executed after the debate.
Between now and Nov. 16, five more executions are scheduled. The additional inmates up for execution are Cleve Foster, Lawrence Brewer, Frank Garcia, Hank Skinner and Guadalupe Esparza.
The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles denied Buck’s request for clemency, and Perry has refused to delay the execution. Perry is scheduled to be on the campaign trail and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst is expected to preside over the matter.
Buck’s supporters say that he should not be executed because Texas relied on improper racial testimony as a basis for his capital sentence and that the former Texas attorney general (now senator), John Cornyn, conceded error in Buck’s case.
On May 5, 1997, Buck was convicted of capital murder in Harris County for the shooting deaths of Debra Gardner and Kenneth Butler.
At trial, psychologist Walter Quijano testified that Buck was African American and that increased the likelihood of his being dangerous in the future.
Lawyers for Texas successfully argued in the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals that Buck’s case was distinguished from other cases that featured Quijano’s testimony because Buck’s lawyers had called the psychologist to the stand. The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals refused Buck’s request to hear his appeal.
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Posted by: William | September 15, 2011, 5:34 pm 5:34 pm
The death penalty isn’t effective as a deterrent and may even be counter productive. Which means its sole purpose is revenge. Bearing that in mind it’s surprising that the US, a largely Christian nation, is so pro the death penalty. From what I understand of Jesus’ teachings it’s very unlikely he would be with you on that. Re my initial claim that the death penalty “isn’t effective as a deterrent and may even be counter productive”: the US has a homicide rate than is four or five times higher than countries without the death penalty and states with the death penalty have an average homicide rate almost double that of those that don’t. All of which makes it very hard to claim it is any sort of a deterrent at all.
Posted by: JOEHILL | September 15, 2011, 5:40 pm 5:40 pm
The top ten countries for executions in 2010 were, in order: China, Iran, North Korea, Yemen, United States, Saudi Arabia, Libya, Syria, Bangladesh and Somalia. Nine of those are countries that most Americans regard as uncivilised and barbaric. And slap bang in the middle is the US. I would be ashamed if my country was included in such a list. You guys and gals seem to rejoice in your inclusion. What I’m curious about, as an atheist living in an almost entirely secular society, is how you reconcile your ardent belief in the death penalty with your Christianity? How would you justify that support to Jesus if He returns? It seems to me that if Jesus returned today he would be far more at home in the Godless UK than he would be in the God-fearing US.
Posted by: JOEHILL | September 15, 2011, 5:44 pm 5:44 pm
The only alternative to the death penalty is life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. At a cost in excess of $35,000 a year…
Besides, life imprisonment is, in my opinion, worse than the death penalty. I’m mean… you can live a LONG time… and prison isn’t exactly a nice retirement camp…
Posted by: looncraz | September 15, 2011, 6:21 pm 6:21 pm
Yep, Cheering at death, and they call themselves “Christian”.
Posted by: jason | September 15, 2011, 6:38 pm 6:38 pm
Wait a minute… I am a little confused here. I keep hearing Gov. Perry tell anyone who will listen that he is “on the side of life” …”everytime”. How can he be a right-to-lifer but order executions one after the other? And for some who it would seem are wrongly convicted?
Posted by: confusedliberal | September 15, 2011, 6:48 pm 6:48 pm
LOONCRAZ: It saves money and it’s really a kindness. Would Jesus buy that explanation? You know he wouldn’t. So, once again, how do you Christians justify your passion for the death penalty to your Christ? I’d guess that 99%, at least, of those bloodthirsty Tea Party members cheering last week would call themselves Christians. I can’t see anyway that following Christ’s teaching’s and cheering the death penalty can be reconciled. But I’m a Godless atheist so what do I know. It is revealing that however many times I ask this question I get no answers.
Posted by: JOEHILL | September 15, 2011, 6:49 pm 6:49 pm
It was a bloodthirsty, compassionless mob at the Tea Party debate the other night. I assume the cold, ugly reaction they expressed is representative of the philosophy of this party. Bachmann’s big smile seemed to signal her agreement and approval. The only revulsion registered was on the faces of Huntsman and Romney. In fact, they both seemed to be wary of what sort of animals really make up the Tea Party and if the mindless mob might actually be dangerous.
Posted by: americaislost | September 15, 2011, 7:13 pm 7:13 pm
JoeHill
In the US we have a document called the Constitution. The First Amendment to that document insures that I have the right to worship or not worship as I see fit. While a majority of the citizens of the US do identify themselves as Christian we are by constitution not a Christian nation.
I know Americans who are Jew, Muslim, Buddhist. Athiest, Hindu and several native American religions such as my own. I am Keetoowah. One of the teachings of my religion is that we should not judge others. Who among us is qualified? I try to remember that what is pertinent in one place or in one life may not be in another. What is correct or conforms to mores in one society, may be different somewhere else. I have learned that those who judge with greater severity, do not own mirrors.
Does anyone actually like shephard’s pie?
Posted by: oonogil | September 15, 2011, 7:13 pm 7:13 pm
I was appalled at the applauding of those who thought it was o.k. to let a person die because he did not have health insurance and for the many executions in Texas. Also the fact that the GOP fillibustered to keep funds from those who are suffering from the recent flooding is sad. What happened to this GOP party to which I once belonged? Many like to talk about the religion in their lives and yet they were not alarmed or dismayed at this applauding. Where is the humanity or the christianity the tea party likes to bring up constantly. I think God referenced something like whatsoever you do to the least of me…you do for me”. Mr. Blitzer even said…should we let this person die and some yelled out “Yes.” This is not what this country needs at this time…no more hateful rhetoric or anger…we have too much of that already. It is o.k. to disagree party to party but the real wisdom and courage comes when we find a solution to the problems…together. It is time to stop thinking party and think of country. For a party to sign a petition to one person and feel more obligated to Mr. Norquest instead of remembering the petition they signed to this country to help make it run…is deplorable. I think it is time for each party to step back and remember why we sent you there…to make this country function not to think of the next election. This has been missing for the last three years and to think the GOP want to keep this up for another year confirms why I left the GOP. People are hurting now as President Obama says…let’s do something for these people …it is way overdue.
Posted by: Pat Napolitano | September 15, 2011, 7:41 pm 7:41 pm
OONOGIL:
But we’re not talking about you. Unless you were in the crowd that cheered Mr Perry and his executions. To be honest I’d be more surprised to find you were there than I would be to find I was. I’d bet there weren’t a lot of Hindus or Buddhists or Jews or anyone other than those who profess to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ there either. And it is those I’d like an answer from.
I had a Shepherd’s pie in Houston in the early eighties that was made with beef and no one with taste buds could have possibly liked that. It was vile. A good Shepherd’s Pie is a treat though. You should try jellied eels or cockles or faggots if you want to know how bizarre English food really can be. Or Haggis from north of the border. My Dad was a huge fan of pig’s trotters. My childhood was scarred by pans of trotters bubbling away on the stove.
Our national dish isn’t fish and chips as most Americans seem to think. It’s curry. There are more people employed in the curry industry than in ship building, mining and motor vehicle manufacture combined. Lots of warm beer followed by a curry that is so hot you can’t talk while you’re eating it is the quintessential English night out. Rounded off with a nice fight. That last bit is why almost all other Europeans don’t like us. But it’s traditional and we’re big on tradition.
Posted by: JOEHILL | September 15, 2011, 7:43 pm 7:43 pm
In Cherokee country you’d be treated with kinuche which is sort of a soup made from hichory nuts. Squirrel soup, squirrel & homminy, rabbit, deer, turkey, fried hog and fry bread. Indians like to eat. …….. It is our custom to tell jokes at funerals. We try to find something to laugh about. It’s our way of dealing with death. …. I think the death penalty is approptiate in some cases. Very few. Such a life I would not celebrate, or tell jokes, nor would I mourn the passing of someone who had earned that penalty. I don’t believe the death penalty is a deterant to crime because it is done privately and humanely. Hanging before the entire prison population might make a few convicts change their ways. If the life of one innocent person can be saved it would easily be justified. ….. I’ve been in schoolyard fights, biker bar fights, street fights and fights at the infamous Gilley’s Club in Pasadena, TX and some of the worst bars in Houston. Fought with fists and a variety of weapons. Not one fight could be classified as “nice”. The first punch knocks “nice” to the floor. These days I avoid harsh words. I have too many scars as it is.
Posted by: oonogil | September 15, 2011, 8:32 pm 8:32 pm
Been fun but I got to go. Big celebration this weekend, starts tonight, ends sometime Sunday, maybe. We’re going to party like it’s 1491. Donadagohu (later)
Posted by: oonogil | September 15, 2011, 8:47 pm 8:47 pm
sorry…I don’t get it. I don’t give a crap what the psychologist said…’cause he’s black’…at the end of the day, ITS CUZ HE MURDERED TWO PEOPLE!!
I will fight legitimate racism with every fiber of my mind, body and soul as long as I live…but I will not be a knee-jerk Negro…where I’m just responded to ANYTHING white folk say in defense of ANYBODY just cause they are black. There are somethings that are just REAL!
A woman’s child will grow up without it’s mother. Someone’s son was murdered. Crime of passion does not erase the reality that these people ARE DEAD! I don’t care what crimes he WOULD commit, nor do I care the REASON he might commit them. He needlessly murdered and he needs to GO!!!!!!!!!!!
Troy Davis, I’ll fight for…this scumbag, no way! And I consider myself the BLACKEST woman on the planet!
Posted by: Toi Nado | September 15, 2011, 9:18 pm 9:18 pm
I really, really hope that moderates and independents are paying attention to the ‘type’ of people in the ‘base’ that they would be voting alongside if they had ANY thoughts of voting for a GOP/conservatve/right wing candidate. If they have a ‘conscience AND a brain’ – I don’t see how they could do that.
Posted by: CND FOX | September 16, 2011, 10:44 am 10:44 am
It is God’s job to decide when to end a life. I am conservative, but I don’t agree with the death penalty. We need to have a culture of life renewed in this country.
Posted by: J | September 16, 2011, 10:54 pm 10:54 pm
How is it legal to kill a person who killed someone, which is not legal?
Posted by: Confused | October 27, 2011, 12:55 pm 12:55 pm