-Caveat Lector- <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/"> </A> -Cui Bono?- Texas Death Penalty Abolition Movement C/o SHAPE Center, 3903 Almeda Road, Houston, TX 77004 Phone/Fax: (713) 521-0629; Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 13, 2000 Attn: Assignment Editor Contact: Johnnie Stevens or Greg Butterfield (713) 521-0629 Gloria Rubac (713) 503-2633 ABOLITIONISTS DEMAND STAY OF EXECUTION FOR PONCHAI WILKERSON; URGE WRITE-IN VOTE IN TEXAS EXECUTION WARRANT FLAWED, SAYS DEATH-PENALTY OPPONENT MARCH 14 INTERNATIONAL DAY OF ACTION TO TARGET BUSH CAMPAIGN Death-penalty opponents are mobilizing to stop the scheduled March 14 execution of Ponchai "Kamau" Wilkerson, said the Texas Death Penalty Abolition Movement. The Abolition Movement has called on supporters worldwide to target Gov. George W. Bush's presidential campaign with demonstrations, phone and fax blitzes, and disruptions tomorrow. A demonstration is planned outside the Walls Unit in Huntsville at 5 p.m. Tuesday. A Houston car caravan will leave from the SHAPE Community Center, 3903 Almeda Road, at 3 p.m. Abolitionists also called on Texas voters to write-in Ponchai Kamau Wilkerson for U.S. president in tomorrow's Republican primary. Wilkerson's supporters say a stay should be issued immediately because of flaws in the Warrant of Execution. The flaws were uncovered thanks to Ward Larkin of the Abolition Movement. Larkin attempted on March 6 and 8 to obtain a copy of this public document from the office of Charles Bacarisse, 184th District Clerk. That office was unable to produce the Warrant. Attorneys Dick Burr and Mandy Welch finally obtained a copy March 13. According to Larkin, who has reviewed the document, it contains serious factual errors. "Article 43.15 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedures says that all Warrants of Execution 'shall recite the fact of conviction.'" Larkin said. "Ponchai Wilkerson's warrant does not do this. There is no mention of his conviction for the offence of Capital Murder. There is only mention of the death sentence. "The first paragraph [of the warrant] says that Ponchai Wilkerson was sentenced to death on July 16, 1991. This is not true. He was actually convicted of Capital Murder on July 16, 1991. The day the Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed his conviction is also stated incorrectly." Larkin said: "One would think that with all of the executions and death sentences that come out of Harris County, the courts would know how to write an error-free Warrant of Execution. Such is not the case. If a death-row prisoner's attorney makes a mistake or misses a deadline by even one minute, the execution is carried out. Why isn't the state held to the same standards?" The call for an International Day of Action has gathered far-flung support for a moratorium on Texas executions. Protests are planned in Italy, New York, Chicago, Detroit and other locations. >From her jail cell, Houston political prisoner Njeri Shakur said: "The heroic death-row hostage demonstration by Ponchai Wilkerson and Howard Guidry has electrified the world. Their act has raised the demand for a moratorium on executions to a new level." (end) ===== <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/">www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance—not soap-boxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds—is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
