Attorneys for Hank Skinner have filed a Motion for Remand with the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. Skinner is scheduled to be executed March 24.
Earlier the month, without a hearing, the state district court with authority over the case rejected Skinner's state habeas petition. The motion seeks to have the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals send the case back to the district court for meaningful review, or to stay the execution and examine the procedural history of the case.
The trial court dismissed Skinner’s habeas corpus application on the ground that he had previously unsuccessfully sought relief in state court – despite the fact that the record clearly shows that his claims -- including his claim of actual innocence -- have never been reviewed by the Texas courts.
The events of the past month highlight how little has changed since Todd Willingham was put to death in 2004 despite powerful scientific evidence casting doubt on his guilt which was available before Willingham's execution. Texas authorities remain shockingly indifferent to the risk of executing an innocent man, placing finality above justice.
Skinner is seeking post-conviction DNA testing which his lawyers say will establish Skinner's innocence.
One of Skinner's attorney's is Rob Owen, Co-Director of the Capital Punishment Center at the University of Texas School of Law. The Medill Innocence Project at Northwestern University is also active in his case.
Professor David Protess, the Director of the Medill Innocence Project, and eight of his journalism students conducted an extensive investigation of Mr. Skinner’s case in 2000. Their findings and additional background on the case can be found here.
Earlier coverage begins with this post.
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