Two weeks ago, we told you about a case in Texas that may affect next year’s attempt for reelection by Governor Rick Perry. The case involves the execution in 2004 of Cameron Todd Willingham for arson in a 1991 fire that claimed the lives of Willingham’s three children.
Cameron Todd Willingham and family
At the time and since, there has been much back and forth as to the nature of Willingham and his execution. So much so that an investigation was being conducted by the Texas Forensic Science Commission into the case when Gov. Perry several weeks ago suddenly fired the members of the Commission, replacing them with members believed to be politically friendlier to Perry than were their predecessors. Perry’s move has stalled the investigation, which is now mired in name-calling and accusations between Perry and those who believe the opposite of he.
Thursday evening’s AC360 featured another look at the case, unfortunately without shedding much more light on it. Included among Anderson Cooper’s guests was the original defense attorney, whose ramblings were largely inane, as well as a look at the comments of an original juror who has since questioned her original decision of Willingham’s guilt in the case.
Regardless of Willingham’s guilt or innocence, the main question now centers around Gov. Perry’s behavior, and his sacking of the four Commission members just before they were to release their report on subsequent findings in the case.
Texas Gov. Rick Perry
Perry’s actions came just before the Texas Republican Primary, and leaves one shaking their head as they wonder why he did what he did. Perry’s office claims it was a routine move, but the knee-jerk reaction is that it was anything but, and that raises the specter of Perry trying to run from the truth. If it were to be found that Willingham was unjustly executed, Perry would become the first sitting governor to preside over such an action.
It makes more sense that he would be acting to avoid such a conclusion than it does to explain his actions in any other way, and that he is playing politics with the case. Kudos to AC360 for continuing to follow this intriguing story, with hopes that the truth, whatever it may be, will someday emerge. - George Curcio
The News Machine
afowles
debugs1
georgespoliticalanalysis
1 Comment
October 16, 2009 at 6:25 am
Sign the petition to Governor Rick Perry and the State of Texas to acknowledge that the fire in the Cameron Todd Willingham case was not arson, therefore no crime was committed and on February 17, 2004, Texas executed an innocent man.
We plan to deliver the petition at the 10th Annual March to Abolish the Death Penalty on October 24 in Austin at the Texas Capitol.