Texas Issues Its First Posthumous Pardon
 

(March 2) – Gov. Rick Perry of Texas has granted the state's first posthumous pardon to a man who spent 13 years in jail for a wrongful rape conviction following a campaign by his family to clear his name.

The man, Tim Cole, died in prison in 1999 at age 39 while serving a 25-year sentence. He was cleared by DNA evidence in 2008, and was pronounced innocent in 2009 by state district Judge Charles Baird, who said Cole had "suffered the greatest miscarriage of justice imaginable in our criminal justice system."

Cole was serving a 25-year sentence for rape when he died in 1999. DNA evidence in 2008 showed that he didn't commit the crime.

Since the test the case was reopened and another suspect is now in custody.

"The question is: How many more Tim Coles are out there?"

Texas which has had more executions than any other state has also had more verified wrongful convictions than any other state, there are at least 40 people, including Cole, who have been exonerated of crimes in DNA testing.

Re: Texas Issues Its First Posthumous Pardon
 

James,
Is the big issue, in these cases, that the states can't support the cost of the DNA testing?

Re: Texas Issues Its First Posthumous Pardon
 

No, its that technology exists now that did not exist then.

The issue now is money of course.

Just one more example of why I strongly oppose the death penalty, especially as administered in Texas, and even more specifically Harris County.

Harris County puts more people on death row than all but a handful of COUNTRIES in the world, and yet it is the only metroplex of which I am aware that does not even have a public defender's office.

To me it also serves as a reminder of those who jump to conclusions when someone is accused, criminal, church or otherwise.

In this case a man declared his innocence, demanded trial and turns out he was wrongly convicted.

How many souls have been destroyed over flimsy evidence and suspicion?

Re: Texas Issues Its First Posthumous Pardon
 

I agree. All measures need to be taken before conviction.

Re: Texas Issues Its First Posthumous Pardon
 

This is exactly the reason that I am opposed to the death penalty! It is impossible to undo and no matter how clear cut some cases seem, the people presenting these cases are human, and humans make mistakes.

Once we kill a person, any chance to right a wrong that is done, such as this case (which I am aware is not a death penalty situation, but bears out my point) is gone.

SO very sad!

Re: Texas Issues Its First Posthumous Pardon
 

Sad is a word not descriptive enough., how bout "travesty"? Whatever happened to "innocent till proven guilty"? and WHOM? said that the current backwardness of the system, is so alright that it should become 'norm'? Obviously someone or someone(s) in authority have deemed it as permissible, so why doesn't someone UNDO this travesty?
Why are systems let to get to such a deplorable condition, that peoples lives become disposable? Is it money, or lack thereof?
Obviously many people will exclaim "you got THAT right"?
This answer further compounds the travesty., at what cost does justice define itself?

I am so mad at this country's lack of morals and values, that it almost becomes us to just leave this place in one way or another., heaven being the destination preferred.

*just ranting*

Re: Texas Issues Its First Posthumous Pardon
 

A month ago I read in my local newspaper about a man who was convicted of rape in the 80's. He was only about 20 years old. His friends all testified that he was with them when the rape happened, but the victim was adamant that he was the guy. He got paroled in the mid 90's.

They finally exonerated him recently after testing the DNA. This is just too sad, but at least he is only in his 40's and still has a long life ahead.

Re: Texas Issues Its First Posthumous Pardon
 

Whille I fully support the death penalty, I do believe there needs to be serious reform that would include both raising the standard for a Captial conviction as well as speeding up the process for putting the convicted to death.