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| Robert Lynn Pruett |
ROBERT PRUETT HAS RECEIVED A STAY OF EXECUTION. MORE TO FOLLOW...
Tomorrow, Tuesday April 28th at 6.00pm CDT in Huntsville, the State of Texas will execute Robert Lynn Pruett. As of publication, all of Pruett's appeals have been unsuccessful. Robert Pruett's execution will go ahead unless the governor decides to grant clemancy, which is highly unlikely. It is a case of third time unlucky for Pruett, who has already had two executions dates (2013 and 2014) stayed.
While I always try to cover upcoming executions, Robert Pruett's is a little more personal for me. Not only have I followed his case, like many, since watching the first airing of BBC documentary Life and Death Row but I started this blog because of his case. In the 12 months or so since I started following Robert Pruett's case, my opinion on his innocence has changed greatly. While I once believed he was completely innocent of killing Corrections Officer Daniel Nagle, I am no longer completely convinced. I guess that makes me something of a fence sitter. All I know is the BBC made the documentary to appeal to the average viewer, they only touched upon a tiny amount of information regarding the Pruett case.
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| No physical contact is allowed for Death Row prisoners. |
My opinion on the death penalty is also slowly changing. While I once was a huge supporter, I now find myself questioning just how effective it is. Tomorrow, IF Robert Pruett is executed there will be another family and group of loved ones mourning the loss of someone special because of murder. Will Daniel Nagle's family feel relief? retribution? at peace? My guess is they will feel exactly the same, after all executing Robert Pruett does not bring their son/father/husband/sibling/friend back. Daniel Nagle's sister even supported Pruett's application for clemancy, saying that while she could never forgive Pruett for her brother's death she didn't see how someone else dying would make things better. It is life's simplest rule - two wrongs don't make a right.
The video below is an episode from the Life and Death Row series screened by BBC 3 in May 2014. This the one Robert Pruett appeared in and I have included it so those who haven't seen the programme can see it for themselves. This episode is titled 'Crisis Stage' and follows two inmates whose execution dates are imminent.
Huntsville, Texas
hello again. The video above would be perfecto in your the day you die in Texas post.
ReplyDeleteHere is a link to the Pruett video, and you can remove this post as soon as you post the video if you like
https://vimeo.com/118837945
Hi Admin, I will be leaving your comment as is because I really appreciate your suggestion - which was spot on by the way and I have made the necessary changes. I appreciate reader's input, especially if it makes a post better. The documentary featuring Robert is like gold dust because when it was aired, the family of Bobby Garza (the other prisoner featured) complained that his children were shown in the programme without permission. The BBC have repeated the programme since but the Garza children are no longer featured. Thanks again for your input, it is appreciated.
DeleteMy heart is so heavy. I feel for so bad for this young man. This is not right.
DeleteI know the feeling Lizzie. I have to remind myself that there are 100s of men like Robert - not that it makes it better but what I mean is, Robert Pruett isn't the only man who insists he is innocent. As I have said before, the BBC Documentary coverage and subsequent press surrounding his case has humanized Robert - the fact is, IF, the execution takes place today Robert Pruett will be the seventh person executed in Texas this year.
DeleteYes..... Texas has always been a state where people joke, 'don't spit on the sidewalk, you could get the death penalty' Silly, yes, but so close to the truth.
DeleteIf this execution goes forward tonight, it will create more victims. Think of Roberts mother, father, brother, sister, cousins, nieces and nephews. The victims family deserves closure, but I wonder if this death will really give them closure, could that closure not have been achieved with a Life Without Parole sentence?
ReplyDeleteEspecially with there being tons of reasonable doubt. I would not be able to live with myself. I'd always wonder, did he do it?
Deletethere is a mountain of evidence consistent with Pruett committing this crime. There is an uncorroborated theory he didn't. Let's hope these final DNA tests put the matter to rest, however I suspect that even if the DNA comes back to the inmate, his supporters will find an excuse for it to be there.
DeleteI have just received an email update from a supporter of Robert Pruett who is currently at the hospitality suite in Huntsville. She is reporting he recieved a stay, there is no further information as of yet.
ReplyDeleteYes, he did receive a stay ! I just got an e-mail from Ines.
DeleteI wonder, what alternative the justice system thinks it has? I agree with Admin - his sentence should be commuted to LWOP - as far as I am concerned three stays is enough of an indication that reasonable doubt exists. How can this happen though? unless absolute proof is found that he IS innocent (which for those of us who are not convinced, does not exist). If they commute his sentence, in the eyes of many he will be getting away with murder. He was already in jail for natural life (99 years), they can't really add to that. I am not saying his sentence shouldn't be commuted, I do think that is for the best. I just can't see how those same people who want him to die for his crime would see it as justice. Hope I made myself clear. it sounded less complicated in my head.
ReplyDeleteThis Judge Richardson literally saved his life, for now. The US Supreme Court DENIED all his pending appeals, without a favorable finding on the DNA evidence he will likely be fast tracked and the process of victimizing the victims family, and the convicted's family will begin again.
ReplyDelete