Governor Perry shakes up commission investigating whether or not an innocent man was executed

[dave29]

just as they were about to hold hearings on their findings:

http://www.kvue.com/news/local/stories/093009kvue_perry_arson-cb.1cf4331e1.html?npc

AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry has replaced the head of a state commission that is investigating a questionable finding of arson in the case that led to the 2004 execution of Cameron Todd Willingham, just as the commission was due to hold a public hearing examining the case.

The commission had hired a nationally known expert whose review of the Willingham case was released last month. The author, Craig Beyler, called the investigation slipshod and determined that almost all of the evidence presented was based on junk science.

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Perry had denied Willingham's request for a stay of execution five years ago. His lawyers asked the governor for the 30-day reprieve to give the courts time to review new reports that called the fire investigation into question. Willingham had always maintained his innocence.

[bluestateguy]

1. It seems like he's been governor of Texas forever

His opponent in the Fall (I think he will beat Kay Bailey in the spring) could make the argument that he has held office too long. If he wins he will be governor for 14 years!

[Zodiak]

2. The man has no conscience

And neither did anyone involved in the case, frankly. I saw an interview with the district attorney and the original fire chief. Both were deeply ignorant men, and both didn't bat an eye even when it was shown their conclusions were bogus.

This case boiled down to "he killed her because he listens to Iron Maiden"....and no, I am not kidding. The fact that he listened to Iron Maiden PROVED he was a satanist and killed his family....at least to these goddamned backwards yokels. They even tried a twisted bit of logic to try to demonstrate how a blob of scorches were supposed to be a pentagram when it did not even come close to resembling one.

What kind of person kills an innocent person and then tries to cover it up?....oh yeah....a MURDERER! That goes for the DA and the governor.

So if you live in Texas and listen to metal, you had better hope to god your house doesn't catch fire.....or Texas will kill you.

[dave29]

3. +1

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[Heidi]

4. Recommended.

Perry is covering his own ass on this.

[janet118]

5. They all are . . .

Our "justice" system sets up a game where it's the DA/cops against the defendant. Once convicted, it is in the DA's, and the trial judge's, self-interest not to have the case overturned - even if there is substantial evidence that the defendant is innocent.

Even http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?court=US&vol=000&invol=08-6">the Supreme Court is in on the game.