---
title: 'EDITORIALS: "Room for Doubt" about Upcoming Texas Excution'
description: 'The Houston Chronicle is calling on Texas Governor Rick Perry to delay the execution of Larry Swearingen, which is scheduled for January 27. The Chronicle…'
canonical: 'https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/editorials-room-for-doubt-about-upcoming-texas-excution'
section: news
date: '2009-01-23T15:47:07-05:00'
updated: '2025-03-14T14:25:54-04:00'
source: 'Death Penalty Information Center'
---

The *Houston Chronicle* is calling on **Texas** Governor Rick Perry to delay the execution of **Larry Swearingen**, which is scheduled for January 27. The *Chronicle* notes that the forensic scientist who testified about the time of death of the victim at Swearingen's trial now believes the death occurred later, a time at which Swearingen was in police custody on another matter. Five other physicians and forensic experts concurred that the murder occurred **after** the time that Swearingen was arrested on a traffic matter. Blood and hair samples from the victim also indicated the presence of another assailant. Dr. Glenn Larkin, a retired forensic pathologist who reviewed the case, told the *Texas Monthly* that “no rational and intellectually honest person can look at the evidence and conclude Larry Swearingen is guilty of this horrible crime.”

There have been 5 executions so far in 2009--100% have occurred in the south, and 60% in Texas. Three more executions are scheduled in January, all in Texas.

(Editorial, ["Room for Doubt,"](https://www.chron.com/opinion/editorials/article/Room-for-doubt-Convicted-murderer-s-execution-1746328.php) Houston Chronicle, Jan. 22, 2009). See [**Innocence**](/innocence-and-death-penalty?did=412&scid=6) and [**Editorials**.](/editorials?did=189&scid=43)