Blog 6: Texas man facing execution for crime as teenager

USA:  Clemency urged for Texas man facing execution for crime as teenager

Anthony Haynes, 33, is set to be executed October 18, 2012 for a crime he committed as a young teenager.  Currently there are protestors stating that the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles and state Governor Rick Perry should grant Haynes clemency.  In 1999, Haynes was sentenced to death for the shooting and killing of an off-duty police officer in the state of Texas when he was only 19 years old.  The state of the Texas holds the highest rate of executions in the entire United States.  Also, Harris county, where Haynes’ case was tried has the second highest conviction rate; next to the state of Texas.  For the conviction to have been taken place, prosecutors had to convince the jury that there was no rehabilitating the criminal and that death was the only way to get justice for society.

In the report filed for the attempted appeal on the case, stated that there was no expert testimony presented for his mental health problems.  More than 3 dozen people have testified that they would be able to attest that the crime committed was totally out of character for Haynes who has no criminal background.  In 2009, the federal court of appeals ruled that Anthony Haynes should be given another trial based on claims of racial discrimination of the jury.  Only 1 of the 12 jurors was African Americans.  During the jury selection, the judge who oversaw the process had been dismantling and cleaning 2 guns right in front of those who were being considered for the trial.  However, the decision for a new trial was later over turned by the Supreme Court. 

The use of capital punishment for an individual who has had no past criminal history is unjust.  Not saying that a person who commits a capital crime should not be punished, however, death should not have been the only solution offered.  Also, the fact that he was such a young kid who may not have completely understood the consequences of his actions should have served in considering his punishment.  Serving life in prison with a possibility of parole later, could have given him time to reflect and change his ways of thinking.

Here is the link to the original article on this subject: http://www.amnestyusa.org/news/news-item/usa-clemency-urged-for-texas-man-facing-execution-for-crime-as-teenager