Thread: Medellin execution on hold while Supreme Court considers cas

Medellin execution on hold while Supreme Court considers case
By ROSANNA RUIZ Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle
Aug. 5, 2008, 7:06PM
1118Comments 148Recommend

Texas Department of Criminal Justice
Politicians worry about the impact on Americans arrested in foreign countries should Texas execute Jose Medellin.

Prison officials moved Jose Ernesto Medellin from his death row cell to another just steps from Texas' death chamber Monday.

But prison officials were still waiting for the final go-ahead from the U.S. Supreme Court as the scheduled 6 p.m. execution time passed.

The 33-year-old is set to die by lethal injection this evening, barring a reprieve, for the 1993 gang rape and murder of Houston teenagers Elizabeth Peña and Jennifer Ertman.

On Monday, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles denied Medellin's request for a 240-day reprieve and a request to commute his sentence to life in prison.

Donald Francis Donovan, one of Medellin's attorneys, said in a prepared statement he was disappointed with the board's action, saying it went against "the interests of the nation and risks the safety of thousands of Americans traveling and living abroad."

If the sentence is carried out, Medellin would be the first of 51 Mexican nationals on American death rows whose cases were at the center of a 2004 U.N. International Court of Justice order.

His lawyers asked the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday to stop the execution until legislation can be passed to formalize case reviews ordered by the International Court of Justice. Medellin's supporters say either Congress or the Texas Legislature should be given a chance to pass a law setting up procedures for new hearings.

The U.N. court ordered a review of the cases because the men had not been allowed to speak with their nation's consular officials following their arrests, in violation of international treaty.

President Bush directed state courts to abide by the court's decision, but the U.S. Supreme Court earlier this year ruled the president had overstepped his authority.

The U.N. court last month called for a stay in the cases of Medellin and four other Mexican nationals at the behest of the Mexican government.

Gov. Rick Perry, Texas courts and the Attorney General's office agree the execution should be carried out.

Medellin will be the second person involved in the Ertman-Peña murders to be put to death. Derrick O'Brien was executed two years ago. Gang leader Peter Cantu awaits an execution date.

The two teenage girls were attacked and strangled after stumbling into the scene of a gang initiation as they took a short cut through T.C. Jester Park on their way to Peña's home.

Death row inmates typically are moved the day of the scheduled execution, Texas Department of Criminal Justice spokeswoman Michelle Lyons said. Medellin was moved to the Walls Unit in Huntsville, the site of Texas' death chamber, a day early as a security precaution because of the high-profile nature of his case and pending execution.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

rosanna.ruiz@chron.com

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/5924476.html

Are you kidding me. How much more can these families take?

So much for our rights and sovereignty! Why even bother to pretend anymore?

His lawyers asked the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday to stop the execution until legislation can be passed to formalize case reviews ordered by the International Court of Justice

Is it any wonder why lawyers are despised. They are milking big dollars out of this case. Get this piece of garbage off the face of the earth.

Originally Posted by Gogo

Are you kidding me. How much more can these families take?

That was exactly my thoughts Gogo!

The Supreme Court is probably just killing the clock...waiting until the last minute to issue their decision, so that it appears that they have been in heavy deliberation. Their probably drinking their brandy right about now, and smoking their Cuban cigars, while leaving the American public hanging. Give him the needle and do it now!!!

Can this #@&**!! Nation do anything right anymore . This Sub-Human piece of garbage needs the Death Sentence carried out asap. He didn't mind his crime so i don't mine him Dying . GET IT DONE . Lefted in the hands of our Gay SC

dfdonovan@debevoise.com
919 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10022
212 909 6233

Areas of Practice
Litigation International Dispute Resolution

Latin American Practice Brazil Practice

Experience
Donald Francis Donovan concentrates his practice in international disputes before courts in the United States, international arbitration tribunals, and international courts. Based on surveys of other practitioners, he was recently identified as one of the eight leading international arbitration practitioners in the world by Chambers Global (200, which called him “one of the world’s leading practitioners in both investment treaty and commercial arbitration.â€

[quote="jamesw62"]dfdonovan@debevoise.com
919 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10022
212 909 6233

Areas of Practice
Litigation International Dispute Resolution

Latin American Practice Brazil Practice

Experience
Donald Francis Donovan concentrates his practice in international disputes before courts in the United States, international arbitration tribunals, and international courts. Based on surveys of other practitioners, he was recently identified as one of the eight leading international arbitration practitioners in the world by Chambers Global (200, which called him “one of the world’s leading practitioners in both investment treaty and commercial arbitration.â€

GGRRRRR what are the waiting for????


Get rid of him and quick. True American Patriots will back you up Supreme Court and Texas. Just do it already!