Justice, Texas style?

My name is Frances Newton. I'm scheduled to be executed today in the state of Texas, despite evidence that has been uncovered since my conviction and questionable procedures used by the Houston crime lab. My defense attorney's incompetence in defending accused murderers has been so negligent in a number of cases that have seen the his clients convicted and sentenced to die that he has been banned from defending persons in such cases since 2001.

From the Austin American-Statesman:

"The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals refuses to hear any new evidence or facts in Newton's case — and many others like it — because those facts were raised after court deadlines expired."

NOTE: That's worth repeating....if you're convicted and new evidence turns up after the "court deadlines expire", forget it. You're dead meat.

"As long as Texas has a death penalty, capital defendants should have access to competent legal counsel. Newton didn't get that. For that reason, she should be spared."

Dada says, if you're gonna kill people in America, you better make damn sure they're guilty before you fry 'em. Let us just hope Governor Perry will permit common sense to prevail over his compassionate conservatism by granting Frances Newton a stay. "Stay" tuned.