OK. GOVERNOR GRANTS CLEMENCY TO MEXICAN CITIZEN
Photo: Cuartoscuro
Osvaldo Torres was scheduled to be executed by the state of Oklahoma on May 18, 2004, despite a ruling from the International Court of Justice that his rights under the Vienna Convention (and those of 50 other Mexican nationals on American death rows) were violated. On May 13, 2004, citing the decisions of the Parole Board and a stay granted by the Court of Criminal Appeals, Governor Brad Henry commuted Torres’ sentence to Life Without Parole. The International Court of Justice is the highest court of the U.N. and the U.S. has used this court in the past to protect the rights of its own citizens.
CASE RESOURCES
DPIC Press Release on the Torres Case
March 30, 2004 Ruling of the ICJ
The recommendation of the Oklahoma Clemency Board
Foreign Nationals on U.S. Death Rows
Amnesty International Report on the Torres Case
Photo: Cuartoscuro
Osvaldo Torres was scheduled to be executed by the state of Oklahoma on May 18, 2004, despite a ruling from the International Court of Justice that his rights under the Vienna Convention (and those of 50 other Mexican nationals on American death rows) were violated. On May 13, 2004, citing the decisions of the Parole Board and a stay granted by the Court of Criminal Appeals, Governor Brad Henry commuted Torres’ sentence to Life Without Parole. The International Court of Justice is the highest court of the U.N. and the U.S. has used this court in the past to protect the rights of its own citizens.
CASE RESOURCES
DPIC Press Release on the Torres Case
March 30, 2004 Ruling of the ICJ
The recommendation of the Oklahoma Clemency Board
Foreign Nationals on U.S. Death Rows
Amnesty International Report on the Torres Case
