[Deathpenalty] death penalty news----worldwide
July 22 BELARUS: EU Criticizes Belarusian Death Sentences, Says Should Be Abolished The European Union on July 21 criticized the two latest death sentences handed down in Belarus, saying that they "violate the right to life." Belarus's Mahilyow Regional Court sentenced Ihar Hershankow and Syamyon Berazhny to death on July 21 after they were convicted of 6 murders linked to a real estate scam. The defendants allegedly posed as estate agents and persuaded elderly homeowners to sell them their apartments at discounted prices, before killing them. "The European Union is strongly opposed to capital punishment and expects that the legal right to appeal for both convicts will be fully guaranteed," EU spokeswoman Maja Kocijancic said. "The continued application of the death penalty goes counter to Belarus's stated willingness to engage with the international community," she said. "The death penalty violates the right to life and is the ultimate cruel, inhuman, and degrading punishment." The Council of Europe also spoke out against the planned executions. Kocijancic said the EU raised its opposition to Belarusian death sentences at the Human Rights Dialogue in Brussels on July 20. She said all remaining death sentences should be commuted and a moratorium imposed on death penalties, which she said should eventually be abolished. Belarus is the only country in Europe still applying capital punishment. (source: Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty) KENYA: 3 Kenyan Men Get Death Sentence for Sexually Assaulting Woman A Kenyan court sentenced 3 men to death Wednesday for stripping and sexually assaulting a woman they believed was dressed too provocatively. The incident 3 years ago sparked nationwide outrage. On Nov. 17, 2014, hundreds of Kenyan women - and some men - took to the streets in Nairobi to protest the assault after a video of the attack surfaced online. The hashtag #MydressMychoice trended on social media in Kenya. On Wednesday, Nairobi Chief Magistrate Francis Andayi issued death sentences against attackers Edward Gitau, Nicholas Mwangi and Meshak Mwangi. The judge described the "senseless" offense as "most heinous" and "uncouth," and said the sentence was a "notice to uncivilized men." Catherine Muthoni says she is a victim of such a crime. "Violations are always painful," she said, "like there is no English word in the dictionary to describe the amount of psychological pain, trying to heal from such a process." Linda Oloo, a researcher and activist based in Nairobi, took part in the march 3 years ago. She says the ruling is a victory for women all over Kenya, and is much more than a warning. "[It's] not really a warning to men, but just sending a statement on the freedom and emancipation of women, in the sense men generally do not define how women dress," Oloo said. "Women themselves define what fits them, so they dress according to what fits them - their personalities, their lifestyles, their career, their occupation. It really is not defined by a segment of men." Oloo says she took part in the 2014 protest to highlight some men's lack of respect for women and to support women's rights in Kenya. "The march had an impact," Oloo said, "because it got massive attention from the media - that's mainstream media and social media. It kind of created an awareness and these incidences have since reduced." The court on Wednesday also ordered each of the men to serve 25-year prison terms, in addition to their death sentences. Kenya does not carry out the death penalty, and such sentences are usually commuted to life in prison. (source: Voice of America News) IRAQ: 4 German women could face death penalty for joining ISIS 4 German women, including a 16-year-old girl, who joined Islamic State in recent years are being held in an Iraqi prison and receiving consular assistance, Der Spiegel magazine reported on Saturday. It said diplomats had visited the 4 in a prison at the airport in Baghdad on Thursday and they were doing well given the circumstances. They could face the death penalty in Iraq for belonging to the militant group, the magazine added. It said Iraqi authorities had given Germany a list with the women's names at the beginning of the week, identifying the teenager only as Linda W. from the small town of Pulsnitz near the eastern city of Dresden. Germany's Foreign Ministry declined to comment on the report. German prosecutors said on Tuesday they were checking reports that a 16-year-old under investigation for supporting Islamic State was among 5 women arrested in the Iraqi city of Mosul, where Iraqi forces declared victory over Islamic State earlier this month. Der Spiegel said 1 of the Germans had Moroccan roots and another seemed to come from Chechnya but had a German passport. The BfV domestic intelligence agency estimates that 930 people have left Germany in recent years to join Isl
[Deathpenalty] death penalty news----OHIO, TENN., NEB., CALIF., USA
July 22 OHIOimpending execution Ohio argues against execution delays for 3 condemned inmates Ohio state attorneys argued on Friday against delaying 3 upcoming executions on grounds that the condemned killers have little chance of legal victory and repeated postponements are draining state resources. The state's 1st execution in more than 3 years is scheduled for Wednesday. Death row inmate Ronald Phillips is scheduled to die for the 1993 rape and killing of his girlfriend's 3-year-old daughter in Akron. He and 2 other inmates seek more time from the U.S. Supreme Court to appeal Ohio's lethal injection method. Their lawyers argue the procedure's 1st drug, the sedative midazolam, creates an unconstitutional risk of pain by not rendering prisoners deeply unconscious before 2 other drugs kick in. Midazolam has been used in some executions that were problematic, including in Ohio, Arkansas and Arizona. Phillips' attorneys argue they need time to appeal a lower court decision allowing Ohio to use the new method. The other drugs are rocuronium bromide, which paralyzes inmates, and potassium chloride, which stop their hearts. The attorneys want the delay because they believe the full Supreme Court will take their appeal of last month's ruling by the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals. That's because that decision runs counter to previous rulings by the high court, and because it "involves an issue of recurring and national importance," the attorneys said in Tuesday's filing. In Friday's response, the state disputed inmates' claims that Ohio has made inconsistent legal arguments as it has sought to legally defend its various, evolving execution protocols. Some changes were made necessary because of a lack of available drugs. "Petitioners allege Ohio made 'unequivocal promises' to 'never again...use a paralytic or potassium chloride.' Not so," the state wrote. "There is a wide gulf between what the affidavit says - that those drugs would not be used 'going forward' under the new protocol - and the argument that Ohio promised to never, under any circumstances, use those drugs." The request for the delay was made to Justice Elena Kagan, who handles such appeals for Ohio. Ohio argued the state risks "ongoing irreparable harm" if the delays are granted and that "Ohio's interests are harmed each time it has to stop and start implementation of its execution protocol." Lawyers note that training for an execution takes at least 30 days and requires 4 rehearsals. 6 are usually held. They said delaying Phillips' execution also runs the risk of delaying those executions scheduled after his. Phillips has separately sought an emergency stay on Wednesday's execution based on his age at the time of the murder. He was 19 and, he contends, just "slightly older" than the Supreme Court's cutoff of 18 for purposes of barring executions of juveniles. His request argues the age should be 19 or 21. Attorneys for the state said in another filing Friday that Phillips' arguments are legally baseless and misplaced. "Phillips is right that the Governor (John Kasich) has been considerate in ensuring that Phillips' case gets adequate review," they wrote. "But Executive grace is not boundless and Phillips' case has been adequately and lawfully reviewed." Kagan is expected to rule on both requests next week. (source: The Republic) Victims' families in Ohio need resources, not executions In 1997, my brother, James Nero, was brutally gunned down in a road-rage incident in Canton. After a minor accident, James insisted that the other driver provide his insurance information. Instead, the driver returned from his car with a gun and shot my brother in the face. Then he shot James again, point-blank as he lay on the pavement. James was just 20, and a proud father to an 18-month-old son. He was engaged to be married to his son's mother. Like every 20-year old, he had many plans and dreams. I thank God that I saw James on the last day of his life, because during our last time together, he hugged me and told me that he loved me. At least I have that to remember him by. When the court case about his murder was over, James was still dead. My family had never experienced the intense trauma of losing a loved one to murder, and we had no idea how to deal with the pain. No state or city agency ever provided our family with any information about resources available to help us deal with the situation. We had only ourselves and our church community. We were on our own, as far as the state of Ohio was concerned. The death chamber at the Southern Ohio Corrections Facility in Lucasville, Ohio. This is why when state officials and others say we have executions so that victims' families can have "justice," or "finality," or "closure," I say that's just political grandstanding. Most cases in which the death penalty could be imposed do not end
[Deathpenalty] death penalty news----TEXAS, PENN., VA., N.C., GA., FLA., ALA.
July 22 TEXASimpending execution Texas Prepares for Execution of Taichin Preyor on July 27, 2017 Taichin "Box" Preyor's execution is scheduled to occur at 6 pm CDT, on Thursday, July 27, 2017, at the Walls Unit of the Huntsville State Penitentiary in Huntsville, Texas. Taichin was scheduled to be executed on Wednesday, July 20, 2016, however, that date was later removed from Texas' online execution calendar, without comment. 46-year-old Taichin is convicted of the murder of 24-year-old Jami Tackett on February 26, 2004, in Bexar County, Texas. Taichin has spent the last 12 years of his life on Texas' death row. Prior to his arrest, Taichin worked as a truck driver and a laborer. He did not graduate high school, dropping out after the 10th grade. In 1999, Taichin was arrested and served time for a drug offense in Syracuse, New York. After being released from prison, Taichin moved to San Antonio, Texas, where he was later joined by his wife and children. Police had previously been called to the residence for a "family violence call." Taichin's brother was one of the police officers who responded to the call. During the early morning hours of February 26, 2004, at approximately 4 am, Taichin Preyor broke into the apartment of his ex-girlfriend, Jami Tackett, by breaking down the door. Preyor went to Jami's bedroom, where he jumped on the bed and began attacking her with a knife. He also stabbed Jami's new boyfriend, Jason Garza, who fled the apartment, going to a neighbor and asking them to call the police. During the fight, Preyor lost his car keys, leaving him unable to flea the scene. Preyor searched the apartment while Jami lay on the floor, struggling to breathe. As he attempted to leave the building for a 2nd time, Preyor encountered the police. The police were forced to use pepper spray to subdue Preyor, who refused to comply with their demands. Preyor was covered in blood when he was arrested. Jami died from her injuries before paramedics arrived on the scene. Jason survived his injury. During his trial, Preyor attempted to argue that his actions that morning was self defense. Prosecutors argued that the door being broken down indicates that Preyor was the aggressor. Please pray for peace and healing for the family of Jami Tackett and for Jason Garza. Please pray for strength for the family of Taichin Preyor. Please pray that if Taichin 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 Taichin may come to find peace through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, if he has not already. (source: theforgivenessfoundation.org) Waco: Judge denies habeas corpus relief to convicted killer A Waco district judge refused to grant habeas corpus relief to a man convicted in the same courtroom 2 years ago of capital murder but did allow appeals lawyers to submit briefs on 2 topics. Judge Ralph Strother, in 19th District Court, said granting relief on the habeas corpus issue would "be like trying this case all over again," as US Carnell Petetan, dressed in jail clothing, sat silent and motionless at the defense table. Petetan was convicted in the same courtroom in 2014 and Strother, after the jury's recommendation, sentenced him to death. Bailiffs cleared the courtroom of visitors and attorneys while Petetan, shackled at the wrists and ankles, was led in. After he was seated the judge allowed everyone back in the courtroom. Lawyers with the state Office of Capital and Forensic Writs, in Austin, presented Strother with an 8-page application that listed 8 major issues at trial and expanded on each one. Strother, as presiding judge, was directed to determine if there were any unresolved issues stemming from the trial, if so, identify them and finally determine what action needed to be taken, Jeremy Schepers, 1 of the appellate lawyers, said. Schepers argued that Petetan was convicted by the jury who didn\'t have knowledge of his behavioral deficiency and that deficiency, under state law, means Petetan is ineligible for the death penalty. But Assistant District Attorney Sterling Harmon reminded Strother that Petetan, himself, testified at his own trial and the jury was able to see and hear him for themselves. As well, Schepers said, Petetan's lawyers at trial were ineffective and did not properly represent him. At the end of the 40-minute hearing Strother denied habeas corpus relief but did direct appellate lawyers to prepare briefs on 2 issues: the 1st Petetan's developmental disability and 2nd his claim of ineffective assistance of counsel. Waco attorney Russ Hunt, Sr., represented Petetan at trial and Strother directed that Hunt be given 120 days to respond to the appeals charge. The briefs are due back to Strother and he will review them to decide if f
