Upcoming Execution: Robert Lynn Pruett. STAYED

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. 

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. 

Watch the BBC3 Documentary featuring Robert Pruett here.

Huntsville, Texas

                                     

Robert Pruett - An Uneasy Execution Approaches

Robert Lynn Pruett

The story of Robert Pruett, a man sitting on death row in Texas, was my motivation for starting this Blog. After watching Robert's story on the BBC documentary Life and Death Row, I was convinced of his innocence. However, after listening to the many comments that have been left on my posts about Pruett, from supporters, close friends and others who are convinced of his guilt, I have to admit I am no longer 100% sure Robert is innocent. I do find it an absolute travesty that a 15 year old boy can be sentenced to 99 years (Pruett's original sentencing for the crime that sent him to prison). 

We don't have the death penalty in the UK, although many of the awful crimes I read about make me wonder why not on an almost daily basis. However, had the 15 year old Robert committed the same crime over here, he would, at the very worse of got a couple of years in a young offender's institute. However, because Robert Pruett did not actually murder the man, he incited his father to do the deed, there is a very good chance he would of received a slap on the wrists and given some kind of supervision order (to be honest, even that is unlikely). My point is, how can two justice systems be SO different. 

Despite not having the death penalty here, I have always admired the US for their use of it to deal with the worse of the worse. But if there is one thing the Robert Pruett case has taught me, is this is not always the case. Thanks to the felony murder law, there are plenty of young men in prison who didn't actually commit the unlawful act (the Pruett and Holle case being two that spring to mind). Maybe Pruett, had he not received prison time for his involvement in the initial murder, would of done something else to get him inside. Maybe he was destined to murder that Prison Guard (if indeed he did) but it certainly is a lot of what ifs. 

And this is why the impending execution of Robert Pruett does not sit well with me. It isn't because I believe him to be innocent, I am really not sure that he is. It is because I do not believe anyone should be executed unless his/her guilt is absolutely believed, beyond a reasonable doubt. Pruett has already had two stays in the past, a third is highly unlikely and yet this is not because there isn't any unanswered questions about the case. It is simply because the 'routine' a prisoner goes through in order to get to the point of execution is almost complete, regardless of whether there is potential doubt or questions. 

I don't normally recommend websites but I do recommend everyone -whether you believe in Robert Pruett or not - spends 30 minutes on his website reading some of the things he has written. Prison has obviously had a huge impact on him and he really is an insightful person, with a passion for living even if it is in dire surroundings with little to look forward too. I really don't know whether Robert Pruett is innocent of killing that Prison Guard, I know I was once convinced he was but I have my doubts now. This does not change my opinion that their is far too many questions to be 100% certain he deserves to executed on April 28th. 

Check out Robert's Site

Whether Innocent or Guilty, There is not Enough Evidence to Support Execution.