Amnesty International has released a new report entitled, “Too much cruelty, too little clemency: Texas nears 200th execution under current governor.” It examines many of the nearly 200 executions that have occurred during Governor Rick Perry’s term in office, as well as a few cases where executions are imminent. The organization states that the Governor is not solely responsible for the fate of those on death row, but notes that Perry has “rarely exercised his power of reprieve, or used his authority to seek commutation of a death sentence, and continues to advocate strongly for capital punishment.” The full report may be found here.
Since 1976, Texas has carried out 437 executions. In 2009, there have been 24 executions in the U.S., including 14 in Texas. In 2009, 100% of the executions have been in the South.
(Amnesty International, “United States of America: Too much cruelty, too little clemency: Texas nears 200th execution under current governor,” April 30, 2009). See Clemency and Studies.
