[Deathpenalty] death penalty news----worldwide
March 3 IRAN: Teenager At The Verge of Execution A teenager who has committed murder is at the verge of execution, his lawyer has warned. "My client was 15 when the murder happened," Kalhori's attorney, Hassan Aghakhani, told New York based Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI). "According to the medical examiner's opinion, his action was not based on reason or logic and he was lacking mental development," he added. "His adviser in the juvenile reform center also says that he didn't have the mental ability to understand his action." "The case of Mohammad Kalhori is extremely concerning because Iran has yet again issued a death sentence to a person who was convicted as a juvenile in violation of international and UN standards," said Hadi Ghaemi, CHRI's executive director, "It also highlights the Iranian Judiciary's lack of independence." Mohammad Kalhori stabbed his physics teacher, Mohsen Khashkhasi in the classroom on November 22, 2014. The primary court sentenced Kalhori to 7 years and paying blood money to the victim's family. "But the victim's family appealed the decision [in September 2016] and Branch 31 of the Supreme Court struck down the ruling and ordered a new trial, which resulted in a death sentence against my client without regard to Article 91 of the Islamic Penal Code," Aghakhani affirmed. Article 91 of Iran's Islamic Penal Code stipulate that "If adolescents under 18 do not realize the nature of the crime committed or its prohibition, or if there is uncertainty about their full mental development, according to their age" they can be spared the death penalty. The teenagers lawyer believes that his client is falling victim to the intervention from outside the court. "We lodged an appeal and made 2 requests [in June and October 2017] for a judicial review by Branch 33 of the Supreme Court presided by Judge Mohammad Niazi," Aghaghani affirmed, adding, "But [Judge Niazi] believes in retribution. When it was time to consider our appeal, unfortunately there was a letter from a deputy education minister and 2 letters from Alaeddin Boroujerdi, who is the member of Parliament from Boroujerd [the city where the murder was committed] and chairman of the Parliamentary Committee for National Security and Foreign Policy, requesting that the judge to look after the victim, not the murderer." Furthermore, Aghhakhani told CHRI, "When it was determined that my client did not have sufficient mental development, we did not expect the political and security officials to get involved. This kid could have been saved if the law followed a normal course, without the court being influenced by the political climate, but unfortunately they interfered in this case." In February 2018, the UN rights chief urged Iran to halt executions of juveniles on death row. "The execution of juvenile offenders is unequivocally prohibited under international law, regardless of the circumstances and nature of the crime committed," the UN high commissioner for human rights, Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, said in a news release on February 16. According to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), in January 2018, 3 people - 2 males and 1 female - were executed in Iran for crimes they committed when they were 15 or 16 years old. A 4th juvenile offender, who was believed to be on the point of being executed on February 14, has reportedly received a temporary reprieve of 2 months. The UN rights chief also noted that several other juvenile offenders are also believed to be in danger of imminent execution, with a total of some 80 such individuals reported to be currently on death row in Iran, after being sentenced to death for crimes they committed when they were under 18. "Iran should immediately comply with explicit international norms and standards regarding the rights of children and halt the death sentence against Mohammad Kalhori and all juvenile defendants," said Ghaemi. (source: radiofarda.com) BANGLADESH: 4 Rohingya Sentenced to Death for Deadly 2016 Attack in Rakhine 4 Rohingya involved in an attack on a police outpost in northern Rakhine State in October 2016 were sentenced to death on Friday by a special court in the state's Maungdaw District. The 4 were among 30 people found guilty of involvement in an attack on Nga Khura Police outpost in northern Maungdaw Township on Oct. 9, 2016 that killed 2 security officials. The other 26 convicts earned prison sentences ranging from 10 to 20 years. Another 15 suspects were released, according to Deputy District Judge U Nyo Lwin Oo. "The court sentences the 4 to death for the crime of homicide," said the deputy judge, adding that the 45 people were initially charged under articles 303, 326, 33 and 34 of the Penal Code. Separately, another 34 Rohingya accused of involvement in the attack were sentenced to 18 years' imprisonment each on Wednesday. The deputy judge
[Deathpenalty] death penalty news----MO., COLO., UTAH, IDAHO, CALIF.
March 3 MISSOURIimpending execution Missouri Gives Russell Bucklew Execution Date of March 20, 2018 Russell Earl Bucklew is scheduled to be executed at 6 pm CST, on Tuesday, March 20, 2018, at the Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Corrections Center in Bonne Terre, Missouri. He has been granted a stay of execution. 49-year-old Russell is convicted of killing 27-year-old Michael Sanders on March 21, 1996, at Hickory Hollow trailer park in Cape Girardeau County, Missouri. Russell also kidnapped, beat, and raped 21-year-old Stephanie Pruitt. Russell has spent the past 14 years on Missouri's death row. Russell Bucklew, a former electrician, met Stephanie Pruitt in the summer 1995, while she was married to another man, with whom she had 2 children. By fall of 1995, Stephanie was divorced and dating Bucklew, whom she knew as Rusty. Around Christmas, Stephanie discovered she was pregnant, however, she lost the baby on Valentine's Day and the relationship between Stephanie and Bucklew was over. Stephanie claims they broke up and Bucklew moved back into his parent's house. Bucklew said they just needed a few days apart to cool off. When Bucklew returned, he discovered that Michael Sanders was now living with Stephanie in Bucklew's trailer. Bucklew was furious and put a knife to Mike's throat, telling him to get out or he would kill him. Stephanie moved in with Mike a few days later. Stephanie and Bucklew had another confrontation when she retrieved some of her clothes from Bucklew's trailer. Stephanie, chained to a bed, agreed to meet Bucklew on March 21, 1996, and leave with him. Bucklew let her go. On March 21, 1996, Bucklew, after stealing guns, handcuffs, duct tape, and a car from his cousin, secretly followed and watched Stephanie all day. His goal was to catch her with Mike. When he saw return to Mike's trailer, he decided that she was not going to meet him and decided to kill Mike and kidnap her. Bucklew knocked on the door of Mike's trailer. 6-year-old John Michael and 4-year-old Zach were playing Super Nintendo when they heard the knock. John Michael unlocked the door, at which time, Bucklew kicked the door in. He was armed with a .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun, a .22 caliber revolver, extra ammunition, and holsters for the guns which were strapped to his body, 2 knives, 2 sets of handcuffs, a pair of rubber gloves, and a roll of silver duct tape. Michael exited the bedroom where he had been talking with Stephanie about Bucklew. Stephanie's father had loaned them a shotgun, but Michael barely knew how to use it. Nonetheless, he took it with him to confront Bucklew. Michael ordered his kids to the bedroom. Bucklew, furious that Michael had a weapon, shot Michael 4 times. All 4 bullets passed through the body. Bucklew handcuffed Stephanie and took her with him. While handcuffing Stephanie, John Michael ensured that he and his brother were hiding. After hearing Bucklew drive away, the kids remained hiding for a time before emerging. John Michael and Zach were with their father as he died. John Michael later testified and identified Bucklew as the man who killed his father. Bucklew forced Stephanie to perform several sexual acts, eventually raping her. Bucklew, with Stephanie in the vehicle, later got into a high speed chase with the police, which ended with him being shot and captured. 3 months later, before Bucklew went to trial, he escaped from prison by hiding in a garbage bag. A manhunt for Bucklew began as soon as correctional officers realized he was missing. Once again, it ended after a high speed chase. This time, though, he did not shoot back: he raised his arms and surrendered. Russell Bucklew was tried, convicted, and sentenced to death for his crime. Russell was previously scheduled to be executed in 2014, however his executed was stayed by the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals and then by the Supreme Court of the United States, when the 8th Circuit lifted their stay. The stay was granted over concerns about the possibility of Russell's 8th Amendment rights being violated due to his rare medical condition. According to Russell, he has a congenital condition that causes blood vessels to weaken and be malformed, and tumors to form in his nose and throat. He argued that this could lead to the lethal injection drugs not being circulated properly, leading to pain and suffering. The condition also causes his airway to shrink, which could cause Russell to suffocate. He also claims to have constant pain in his face, which requires pain medication every 6 hours. Russell fears he will have a prolonged and painful death. Missouri argued against a stay of execution, noting that Russell has previously had surgery with the use of anesthesia without any problems. Please pray for peace and healing for the children, now adults, who witnessed this horrific event. Please pray for peace and healing for the family of Mike
[Deathpenalty] death penalty news----TEXAS, PENN., N.C., FLA., ALA., OHIO
March 3 TEXASimpending execution Texas Gives Rosendo Rodriguez Execution Date of March 27, 2018 Rosendo Rodriguez III is scheduled to be executed at 6 pm CDT, on Tuesday, March 27, 2018, at the Walls Unit of the Huntsville State Penitentiary in Huntsville, Texas. 37-year-old Rosendo is convicted of the murder of 29-year-old Summer Baldwin and her unborn child in 2005. Rosendo has spent the last 9 years on Texas' death row. Rosendo grew up being abused by his domineering and alcoholic father. Rosendo attended Texas Tech. He was serving as a US Marine Corp reservist, and was in Lubbock, Texas for training at the time of the murder. Prior to his arrest, Rosendo worked as an office clerk and in food service. He had no prior prison record, however, following his initial arrest, he was also discovered to have murdered 16-year-old Joanna Rogers in 2004. Summer Baldwin's body was found stuffed inside of a suitcase in a Lubbock, Texas city landfill on September 13, 2005. Summer was a prostitute and a witness in federal counterfeiting case, making her death of interest to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Finical records obtained by the federal government showed that Rosendo Rodriguez's debit card was used to buy an identical suitcase in WalMart the day before Summer's body was discovered. Video surveillance also showed Rodriguez with Summer. Financial records also showed that Rodriguez rented a hotel room. Hotel records showed that he signed in under the name "Thomas" Rodriguez. Police arrested Rodriguez at his parent's home in San Antonio, Texas. 3 weeks after his arrest, Rodriguez confessed to the murder of Summer. According to his confession, the 2 engaged in consensual intercourse. Rodriguez claimed that he killed Summer in self-defense when she came after him with a knife. As police continued their investigation, they discovered that Rodriguez was also linked to the disappearance of teenager Joanna Rogers, who had been missing for over 1 year. Like Summer, Joanna's body was also found stuffed in a suitcase in a landfill in Lubbock, Texas. In exchange for confessing to Joanna's body, Rodriguez's attorney negotiated a deal which would spare him from the death penalty, reduce the murder charge, grant him immunity for Joanna's murder, and sentence him to life in prison. On the day the plea bargain was to occur, Rodriguez's attorney said that for the past 24 hours, Rodriguez had maintained that he did not understand anything he was being told and then told the trial judge that he did not understand the questions being asked of him. The plea bargain did not go forward and Rodriguez's attorney withdrew from the case. Rodriguez was assigned new counsel and the trial began in 2008. Rodriguez argued that his combat training kicked in, causing him to murder Summer when she attacked him with a knife. He further alleged that he had no knowledge that she was pregnant. The prosecution alleged that he sexually assaulted Summer before killing her by strangulation and disposing of the body. Rodriguez was convicted and sentenced to death in April 2008. Please pray for peace and healing for the families of Summer Baldwin and Joanna Rogers. Please pray for strength for the family of Rosendo Rodriguez. Please pray that if Rosendo is innocent, lacks the competency to be executed, or should not be executed for any other reason that evidence will be presented prior to his execution. Please pray that Rosendo may come to find peace through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, if he has not already. (source: theforgivenessfoundation.org) Executions under Greg Abbott, Jan. 21, 2015-present30 Executions in Texas: Dec. 7, 1982present-548 Abbott#scheduled execution date-nameTx. # 31--Mar. 27Rosendo Rodriguez III--549 32--Apr. 25Erick Davila---550 33--May 16-Juan Castillo--551 (sources: TDCJ & Rick Halperin) 3 Murder Suspects Escape Texas County Jail by Scaling Wall 3 murder suspects escaped a Texas jail Friday morning and were briefly on the loose before being apprehended. The men, who were accused of murder in separate incidents, escaped from Bexar County Detention Center in downtown San Antonio. Jacob Anthony Brownson, Luis Antonio Arroyo and Eric Trevino were discovered missing at around 10:40 a.m. local time and were apprehended in a restaurant less than an hour later. The woman who drove the trio's getaway car was also arrested. In a press conference, Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar said that the inmates cut a hole in the mesh of a 20-foot-tall fence and used bedsheets to escape. After getting to the street, the men were picked up in a white sedan. "Definitely a good ending to what was a tense situation. We are continuing to investigate ... we'll
