Stephanie Mencimer on the right wing coalition trying to stop the execution of mentally ill death row inmate Scott Panetti: -Erika When Scott Panetti represented himself in a Texas capital murder case in 1995, wearing a purple cowboy suit and calling himself Sarge, he called as a witness a veterinarian who once lived across the street from him. Panetti questioned the vet about the time he euthanized Little Blue, Panettis old dog. The episode had nothing to do with the case. Other witnesses Panetti tried to call to the stand: John F. Kennedy and Jesus. Trial transcripts, medical records, and expert witness testimony have documented that Panetti suffers from severe schizophrenia. He believes Texas is going to execute him to stop him from preaching the gospel—not because he shaved his head, donned camo fatigues, and shot and killed his in-laws in 1992. The Supreme Court has declared that executing the mentally ill violates the Eighth Amendments prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment, but several Texas and federal courts—including the US Supreme Court—have reviewed Panettis case, and each one has ruled that the state can proceed with his lethal injection. Now, with Panetti’s execution scheduled for December 3, the only thing that might save him is a national campaign being mounted by conservatives, including former Texas Republican congressman and libertarian icon Ron Paul.
Posted on: Thu, 27 Nov 2014 22:51:02 +0000
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