Friday, October 26, 2012

Blog 8: Executed Texan’s Family Seeks Pardon By ETHAN BRONNER


On October 25, 2012 The New York Times reported about and execution that is under review in Texas and people involved thinks that the man that was executed was not guilty. Cameron Todd Willingham was convicted of murdering his three young daughters by setting his own house on fire and eight years later a drive to prove his innocence failed to stop his execution. Mr. Willingham case is gaining so much interest because it seems as if a man was executed based on flawed science which the Texas fire marshal recently agreed to re-examine everything. The case was said to be based on testimony by the Texas state fire marshal who stated that the scene offered clear signs of arson. Research that has just come up has raised important questions about his conclusions. All of the research is planned to be presented to a panel of fire experts by January and all of this could overturn a number of wrongful convictions. Stephen Saloom said that Mr. Willingham’s last words were, ''Todd's last words were: 'Please clear my name. I did not kill my children.''. Stephen Saloom is the director of the Innocence Project which is the leader of the work on the Mr. Willingham case.
I thought this was a god current event because it goes with what we are talking about in class. Capital punishment is very has subject to talk about because of facts that have come up in this case. Cases that evidence comes too late and proves a man could be innocent or even having a trial that is based on a man’s testimony that is not certain. Capital punishment being the extreme deterrent could fail to let people know that the guilty are executed because facts come up and it is extremely hard to get a stay of execution. Capital punishment has its pros and cons but it is up to the justice system to make sure that when the death penalty is given it is given to the right person.

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