An inmate convicted of killing three teenagers while they slept in a Texas Panhandle home more than 25 years ago is facing execution:
FILE - This booking photo provided by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice shows Texas death row inmate John Balentine, who was convicted of killing three teenagers while they slept in a Texas Panhandle home more than 25 years ago. Balentine was set to receive a lethal injection at the state prison in Huntsville, Texas, on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023, but on Tuesday, Jan.
Balentine's attorneys have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to stay the execution so that his claims of racial bias during his trial can be properly reviewed. His lawyers have also asked Republican Gov. Greg Abbott to grant a temporary reprieve. The appeals court denied a request from Balentine’s lawyers to stay his execution over allegations that “racism and racial issues pervaded” his trial. The appeals court denied the stay request on procedural grounds without reviewing the merits of the claims.
In a declaration he gave before his death in 2021, England said he pushed for a death sentence because he worried if Balentine was ever released, he “would need to hunt him down.” “Without a thorough judicial consideration of Mr. Balentine’s claims, we can have no confidence that the death verdict isn’t tainted by racial bias,” Nolan said.
“I think he got a fair trial," Sherrod said. “I think we had a good jury ... We tried to help John whatever way we could.”
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Man who fatally shot 3 Texas teens in 1998 faces executionAn inmate convicted of killing three teenagers while they slept in a Texas Panhandle home more than 25 years ago is facing execution amid allegations that his trial was marred by racial bias
Read more »
Man Convicted of Killing 3 Texas Teens in 1998 Faces Execution Wednesday NightAn inmate convicted of killing three teenagers while they slept in a Texas Panhandle home more than 25 years ago faces execution Wednesday amid allegations that his trial was marred by racial bias.
Read more »
Man who fatally shot 3 Texas teens in 1998 faces executionJohn Balentine faces execution Wednesday amid allegations that his trial was marred by racial bias.
Read more »
University of Texas at Austin students will hold referendum on “Eyes of Texas”The nonbinding referendum is meant to gauge student opinion on the divisive alma mater but would not result in any changes to the song. Student leaders called for it in response to a 2021 university report on the song’s history that found it was “not overtly racist.”
Read more »
University of Texas at Austin students will hold referendum on 'Eyes of Texas'A report concludes the intent of the song was “not overtly racist” but acknowledged that “it is similarly clear that the cultural milieu that produced it was.”
Read more »
University of Texas at Austin students will hold referendum on “Eyes of Texas”The nonbinding referendum is meant to gauge student opinion on the divisive alma mater but would not result in any changes to the song. Student leaders called for it in response to a 2021 university report on the song’s history that found it was “not overtly racist.”
Read more »