Post by carolinem on Feb 18, 2007 17:43:18 GMT -5
Save Cathy Henderson - Don't let Texas' sham justice system take another life
Cathy Henderson will be executed on April 18, 2007 In December, 2006, her lawyers filed a petition before the Supreme Court of the United States to try to stop her execution.
We should know in the last week of February whether that petition is successful. If it is not, it's up to us to save Cathy's life.
Here's what Sister Helen Prejean had to say about Cathy's case in a recent letter to members of her order:
Cathy was condemned to death for murdering a baby. That's what the Texas prosecutor claimed. But I believe Cathy's version of what happened. Cathy was babysitting with little Brandon and, to stop him from crying, was swinging him around when, barefooted, she stepped on a sharp toy, lost her balance, and the baby flew out of her arms, hit the wall, and died. It was an accident, but at trial there was miserable defense for Cathy to tell her story and examine forensic evidence to show that the baby could have died as a result of such an accident. The plight of the poor: no defense for Cathy, who sits on death row, and a venal prosecutor, who presented her as a monster and now sits in the legislature.
What happens next Cathy's lawyers filed a petition before the Supreme Court in December and that petition, together with a response from the State and a further reply from her lawyers, should be decided upon by the Justices in late February.
In the meantime, her lawyers are gathering further information to assist in possible avenues of appeal. Cathy's trial lawyers fell down on the job in many ways, including failing to ensure she received an adequate medical and psychological evaluation. That was a particularly grave omission given that the State could find no motive whatsoever for murder. In fact, there was no motive, no history of violence, no prior convictions.
As one of Cathy's appeal lawyers has stated, "This is a true case of nothing but state vengeance. She didn't kill him for money; there's no motive whatsoever; she didn't do anything that most states reserve for the death penalty."
In this vacuum of evidence, the state did what it does so well: It demonized Cathy - and counted on her having the pitiful defense so common in the Texas justice system. That strategy worked.
How you can help If the petition before the Supreme Court does not succeed, it will be up to us to save Cathy from execution. We will be working with Cathy's lawyers to coordinate our campaign to save her. Check out the Take Action page to find out how you can help.
We are updating this site on a regular basis. Soon, we hope to add talking points for letters and emails you can send to the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles and Texas Governor, Rick Perry.
Cathy Henderson has been on death row in Gatesville, Texas for 12 years.
Please show Cathy your support by writing to her:
Cathy Henderson
DR #999148
Mt. View Unit
2305 Ransom Rd
Gatesville, TX 76528
Cathy Henderson will be executed on April 18, 2007 In December, 2006, her lawyers filed a petition before the Supreme Court of the United States to try to stop her execution.
We should know in the last week of February whether that petition is successful. If it is not, it's up to us to save Cathy's life.
Here's what Sister Helen Prejean had to say about Cathy's case in a recent letter to members of her order:
Cathy was condemned to death for murdering a baby. That's what the Texas prosecutor claimed. But I believe Cathy's version of what happened. Cathy was babysitting with little Brandon and, to stop him from crying, was swinging him around when, barefooted, she stepped on a sharp toy, lost her balance, and the baby flew out of her arms, hit the wall, and died. It was an accident, but at trial there was miserable defense for Cathy to tell her story and examine forensic evidence to show that the baby could have died as a result of such an accident. The plight of the poor: no defense for Cathy, who sits on death row, and a venal prosecutor, who presented her as a monster and now sits in the legislature.
What happens next Cathy's lawyers filed a petition before the Supreme Court in December and that petition, together with a response from the State and a further reply from her lawyers, should be decided upon by the Justices in late February.
In the meantime, her lawyers are gathering further information to assist in possible avenues of appeal. Cathy's trial lawyers fell down on the job in many ways, including failing to ensure she received an adequate medical and psychological evaluation. That was a particularly grave omission given that the State could find no motive whatsoever for murder. In fact, there was no motive, no history of violence, no prior convictions.
As one of Cathy's appeal lawyers has stated, "This is a true case of nothing but state vengeance. She didn't kill him for money; there's no motive whatsoever; she didn't do anything that most states reserve for the death penalty."
In this vacuum of evidence, the state did what it does so well: It demonized Cathy - and counted on her having the pitiful defense so common in the Texas justice system. That strategy worked.
How you can help If the petition before the Supreme Court does not succeed, it will be up to us to save Cathy from execution. We will be working with Cathy's lawyers to coordinate our campaign to save her. Check out the Take Action page to find out how you can help.
We are updating this site on a regular basis. Soon, we hope to add talking points for letters and emails you can send to the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles and Texas Governor, Rick Perry.
Cathy Henderson has been on death row in Gatesville, Texas for 12 years.
Please show Cathy your support by writing to her:
Cathy Henderson
DR #999148
Mt. View Unit
2305 Ransom Rd
Gatesville, TX 76528