Entries tagged with “Arthur Brown”
Issues
Religion
,Aug 07, 2023
Religious Leaders Explain Why They Minister to Death-Sentenced Prisoners During Executions
Reverend Melissa Potts-Bowers, the spiritual advisor to Michael Tisius, recently described her experience ministering to him during his execution as “quite horrifying — as it’s intended to be.” Mr. Tisius was executed by the state of Missouri on June 6, 2023. Rev. Potts-Bowers’ relationship with Mr. Tisius began when she was his minister and pen pal and continued after she became a hospice chaplain. At the time of his execution, she had been his spiritual advisor for more than twenty years. In…
Issues
Mar 08, 2023
Texas Withdraws Execution Date to Allow for Mental Competency Consideration
A Grayson County, Texas court has withdrawn the April 5, 2023 execution date for Andre Thomas (pictured), a seriously mentally ill prisoner whose legal team requested more time to demonstrate that Thomas is incompetent to be executed. While incarcerated, Thomas gouged out his own eyes and claimed divine direction for his crimes. More than 100 religious leaders, along with other experts, had asked Gov. Greg Abbott to halt Thomas’ execution. “The Court was right to follow the Constitution by…
Issues
Upcoming Executions
,May 27, 2022
Controversy Over Texas Executions as Houston Judge Refuses to Issue Death Warrant and Attorney General Fights Nueces County D.A.’s Effort to Withdraw Another
The fates of two men subject to potentially imminent execution in Texas hang in the balance, as the state’s attorney general and one local prosecutor challenge the discretion of other key officials not to move forward with executions. The controversy over the execution dates highlights emerging tensions between prosecutors about enforcement of death sentences and the provision of fair process before a prisoner is executed. In Harris County, prosecutors are challenging Houston Judge Natalia…
Issues
Oct 24, 2017
False or Flawed Forensic Evidence Raises Questions About Two Texas Capital Convictions
Two recent appellate decisions by the Texas courts have thrust into the national spotlight the continuing controversy over the use of false or flawed forensic testimony to secure convictions in death penalty cases. On October 18, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals ordered a Travis County (Austin) trial court to conduct a hearing to consider evidence that the Austin police crime lab had botched its analysis of DNA evidence and presented scientifically false DNA testimony leading to the…