April 8 TEXAS: Opponents rally against 'death row express'----Gathering urges Texas lawmakers to abolish capital punishment RESOURCES BY THE NUMBERS A look at some death penalty statistics in Texas, according to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. -Inmates executed in Texas in 2005: 4 -Inmates executed in Texas in 2004: 23 -Inmates on death row in Texas: 443 -Women on death row in Texas: 9 -Most executions in one year: 40 in 2000 Families of death row inmates and murder victims joined human rights activists Friday in calling for Texas lawmakers to abolish the death penalty. "Texas is a case study in everything that is wrong with capital punishment, and regardless of how frequently these flaws are noted, the idea of an innocent person being killed hasn't slowed down the state's relentless execution schedule," said Bianca Jagger, a member of Amnesty International USA's leadership council. Jagger said a report by Amnesty International said there were nearly 4,000 executions in 25 countries last year and more than 7,000 new death sentences in 64 countries. But she said that 120 countries have abolished the death penalty. Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, noted that there are 52 days left in the legislative session. The Senate refused this week to take up a bill that would give juries the option of sentencing a capital murderer to life without parole. "There's still time to get us to slow down this death row express that we have here in Texas," Ellis said. The rally on the steps of the Texas Capitol, attended by more than 100 people, was held in conjunction with Amnesty International USA's annual general meeting. Many waved small black flags representing 340 people who have been executed in Texas since 1982. At one point, they lowered the flags and observed a moment of silence for victims of violent crimes. The crowd heard emotional speeches from the sister of a mentally ill man who was executed and the wife of a shooting victim who forgave his killer before he died. Tina Duroy, the sister of James Colburn, broke down several times as she talked about her brother's history of paranoid schizophrenia. Colburn was executed in March 2003. Carol Byars of Houston said her husband lived for eight months after he was shot by a neighbor. While he was in the hospital, knowing he was going to die, he forgave his killer. "By doing this he gave me permission to heal, he gave me permission to forgive, he gave me permission to let go," Byars said. Watching the rally was Lee Greenwood, a Houston woman whose son, Joseph Nichols, has been on death row for 25 years. He was given the death penalty for being an accomplice in the shooting death of a convenience store clerk. Greenwood, a member of the Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty, said she hopes the rally will raise awareness about "corruption and inconsistency in the judicial system." (source: Houston Chronicle) ********************* Bianca Jagger leads death penalty rally Celebrity activist Bianca Jagger called on Texas to abolish the death penalty at a rally in the state capital Austin. "Some Texas officials might decry what the rest of the world thinks, as if it didn't matter, but we know that in fact, international opinion helped save at least 72 lives, 29 alone in this state," said Jagger, referring to a recent US Supreme Court decision that deemed the execution of juvenile killers unconstitutional. The comments by Jagger, a former model once married to rock legend Mick Jagger, came during a rally that kicks off Amnesty International USA's annual meeting that will be held this weekend in Austin. Many in the crowd waved black flags to represent inmates who have been executed in Texas. Since the death penalty was resumed in Texas in 1982, 340 inmates have been executed, including 4 this year. Texas Governor Rick Perry supports the death penalty and does not have the authority to abolish it himself, spokeswoman Kathy Walt said. Several death penalty-related bills have been filed in the Texas Legislature this year. "The governor believes it's an appropriate punishment for the most heinous of crimes as the law is set up," Walt said. (source: Associated Press) ************************ Trial date is set in capital murder case A 27-year-old Victoria man who was indicted last month in the death of his neighbor will face trial on Jan. 30, 2006. Jose Israel Tejeda was indicted on a capital murder charge that could result in his facing the death penalty. Victoria County District Attorney Dexter Eaves said he told the court Wednesday that he wants to ponder the death penalty question. "We discussed whether or not the state would seek the death penalty," Eaves said. "We will tell the court on April 15 or 16. I need some time to think it over." Eaves said that in Wednesday's session in court Tejeda's defense attorney, Jim Beeler, asked for a Spanish-speaking attorney to assist him in Tejeda's defense. Eaves said Tejeda was fluent in English, but some of his family members are not. He said that Eli Garza was suggested as a second-chair attorney for the defense. Tejeda is accused of killing his neighbor, Juana Castillo Marquez, 41, during a burglary and robbery on Dec. 18. The burglary and robbery are the special circumstances that permit Eaves to pursue the death penalty in the case if he chooses to do so. Tejeda was captured in San Antonio on Jan. 3. He has been held since in lieu of $1 million bail. Eaves said that January 2006 was the earliest his office could try the case, as there is a death penalty for Terry Olesky slated for the fall of this year. (source: Victoria Advocate) ********************* Beaumont Man Indicted for Murdering Wife A Beaumont man was indicted Thursday for murdering his wife in February. 37-year-old Clifton Beatty is accused of killing his wife Carolyn in the early morning hours of February 2, 2005 at a home in the 5500 block of Sunbird Lane in Beaumonts north end. Around four oclock that morning, police say they got a phone call from a frantic female. The female calling for help was Beattys wife37-year-old Carolyn Peace Beatty. She told dispatchers she had been attacked and stabbed several times by the man she married and still had a knife stuck in her neck. Five hours after her death, Clifton turned himself in to police. He told Hometown News crews he killed the woman he loved out of anger. He told a judge during his arraignment he wanted the death penalty for his actions. Judge Vi McGinnis set bond at $100,000. Back at the home the couple once shared, neighbors say the 2 had a history of fighting and arguing. Police say its a violent marriage that turned deadly. (source: KBTV News) CONNECTICUT: Doctor: Serial Killer Mentally Competent A state psychiatrist said serial killer Michael Ross does not suffer from "death row syndrome," despite three suicide attempts and claims in writing that life on death row was becoming increasingly unbearable. Dr. Michael Norko was the 1st witness to testify Thursday in new competency hearings for Ross, who is scheduled to die by injection May 11 in what would be the 1st execution in New England in nearly 45 years. He has admitted killing 8 young women in Connecticut and New York in the 1980s. Norko stood by his earlier finding that Ross is mentally competent to decide to forgo further appeals and volunteer to be executed. State public defenders have argued that Ross likely suffers from so-called "death row syndrome" - a theory that solitary isolation can cause severe mental health problems and suicidal tendencies - and is trying to commit state-assisted suicide. Ross' last suicide attempt was in 2003. But Norko said he has seen no evidence that Ross' decision was made out of despair and depression wrought by years of close confinement on death row. Norko testified that Ross understands the impact of his decision. He said Ross received a letter from the Vatican urging him to pursue his appeals, but not even that could sway him. "He has been able to withstand the stress of confinement to a large extent," Norko said. "Overall he has been able to utilize his strengths to adapt to his circumstances to the extent that it's possible to adapt to the circumstances." Ross and his father are among those expected to testify at the hearing, which was to resume Friday and is expected to last a few days. Ross, a 45-year-old Cornell University graduate, was arrested 21 years ago, ending 3-year spree of attacks in Connecticut, New York, North Carolina, Illinois and Ohio. Though he said he did not want to die, Ross has said he decided last year to drop his appeals to spare his victims' families additional agony. Ross came within hours of being put to death on Jan. 28, but the execution was delayed when his attorney, T.R. Paulding, announced a potential conflict of interest. It was later disclosed that Chief U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny had threatened to go after Paulding's law license if he found that Paulding, in pressing for a prompt execution, had neglected or ignored evidence that his client was incompetent. (source: Associated Press) ********************** Ross says rekindled romance not enough to keep him alive Not even a rekindled romance may be enough to keep Michael Ross from going through with his wish to become New England's first execution in 45 years. The serial killer acknowledged Friday at his competency hearing that his renewed relationship with his former fiancee has complicated things, but he remains resolute in his decision to end his appeals and accept the death penalty. Ross is scheduled to die May 11 for killing 4 young women in Connecticut in 1983 and 1984. He has admitted killing 8 women in Connecticut and New York and raping most of them. Ross became involved years ago while in prison with Susan Powers, an Oklahoma woman. They broke up 2 years ago, but she began contacting him again over the past few months. "I'm, so glad that you have come back into my life, but it is truly a double-edged sword" Ross wrote in a letter in February, shortly after his execution was postponed. "I don't want to leave you I just got you back, but I have no choice and it is tearing me up inside," Ross, testifying before a judge who will decide if he is mentally competent to end his appeals, said while the decision remains difficult, he has not changed his stance. "She has complicated things immensely," Ross said. Ross' father testified earlier Friday that his son is selfish and said his reasons for volunteering for execution have nothing to do with sparing the families of his victims more anguish. "I don't think he has any real compassion," Dan Ross said Friday during his son's competency hearing in New London Superior Court. "I don't think he has the ability to empathize with people." Ross, a 45-year-old Cornell University graduate, was arrested 21 years ago, ending a three-year spree of attacks in Connecticut, New York, North Carolina, Illinois and Ohio. He has said he decided last year to drop his appeals to spare his victims' families additional agony. Thomas Groark, an attorney charged with proving that Ross is incompetent to make that decision, suggested Friday that Ross' wish to die is rooted in his psychological problems. Two years ago, after a 3rd suicide attempt, Ross wrote that life in prison was becoming increasingly unbearable. State public defenders have argued that Ross likely suffers from so-called "death row syndrome" - a theory that solitary isolation can cause severe mental health problems and suicidal tendencies - and Ross is trying to commit state-assisted suicide. To show that Ross' desire to die is not altruistic, Groark questioned him on the stand on Friday. Groark pointed out that Ross wrote letters detailing his life on death row to several media outlets over the years, which put the serial killer back in the headlines. Groark suggested this publicity may have forced the families to revisit the pain of losing their daughters. "Did you consider the impact that might have on the victims' families?" Groark said. "No. I did not," Ross replied. State psychiatrist Dr. Michael Norko testified Thursday, the first day of the hearing, that there are no signs Ross suffers from death row syndrome. "He has been able to withstand the stress of confinement to a large extent," Norko said. "Overall he has been able to utilize his strengths to adapt to his circumstances to the extent that it's possible." New London Superior Court Judge Patrick Clifford had previously ruled that Ross is competent to end his appeals. Ross came within hours of being put to death on Jan. 28, but the execution was delayed when his attorney T.R. Paulding announced a potential conflict of interest. It was later disclosed that Chief U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny had threatened to go after Paulding's law license if he found that the attorney, in pressing for a prompt execution, had neglected or ignored evidence that his client was incompetent. The hearing is expected to continue into next week. (source: Newsday) FLORIDA: Florida Seeking Death Penalty For Christopher Popjes The 2 men charged in the death of a 14-year old Florida boy could get the death penalty. This morning, a Florida grand jury decided to charge Christopher Popjes, formerly known as Christopher Buist, on 1st degree murder charges. Meanwhile, West Michigan native William Popjes was arraigned today. He pled not guilty. The state of Florida decided to seek the death penalty for both. The pair will be in court again next month. (source: WZZM News) ****************************** Father, son could face death sentence A former Jenison man and his son face potential death sentences after a Florida grand jury indicted them Thursday of 1st-degree murder in the killing of a 14-year-old boy. William Popjes, 37, and Christopher Popjes, 20, are scheduled for arraignment today in a Duval County courtroom in Jacksonville in the death of a Joshua Corriveau. They originally were charged with second-degree murder. William Popjes adopted his son 6 years ago. They met the victim and his mother in May 2003 while camping in Wesley Chapel, Fla. They eventually shared a home. Last November, William Popjes allegedly tied the teen's mother to a bed, then left with Joshua, who went willingly. The father and son told police they beat the boy several times with a blunt instrument and fists and hands. They were living in Jacksonville when Secret Service agents, tracking the elder Popjes on a six-count fraud warrant out of U.S. District Court in Grand Rapids, found the victim's body in a bag in a closet. In an interview from jail earlier this year, Christopher Popjes said he considered Corriveau his brother and wanted to protect him. He said he was holding his hand when he died. He said he did not hit the victim, but his father did. The victim's mother, Gillian Joyce, was satisfied with the charges. She drove 4 hours Thursday for a brief hearing and planned to be in the courtroom today. She does not want anyone to forget about her son. The indictment was "very good news," but she would not say if the suspects deserved death. "I'm not going to say one way or another what I want -- I want justice," Joyce said. "They're both responsible, but on different levels." She wanted to hear all of the evidence against the two. Even if the younger Popjes did not beat her son, she said: "Chris is guilty of not doing anything when Joshua was laying in bed, dying. Chris didn't call 911. When he died, he didn't call anyone." Attorney Al Chipperfield, representing Christopher Popjes, said his client would plead not guilty today. In Florida, jurors would have to find a suspect guilty of premeditated or felony murder, along with aggravated circumstances, to recommend that a judge impose the death penalty. 7 of 12 jurors need to vote in favor of the death penalty. Any fewer results in a life in prison. (source: Grand Rapids (Mich.) Press) PENNSYLVANIA: Prosecutor implies illness is a sham He wants another psychiatrist to examine Jerry Chambers, charged with fatally beating a girl, 3. A prosecutor suggested yesterday that the man accused of fatally beating 3-year-old Porchia Bennett in 2003 is faking mental illness to avoid a death-penalty murder trial. In a court-ordered evaluation last week, 33-year-old Jerry Chambers called himself "Bob" and allegedly said: "I hear voices telling me to hurt people." Chambers has also "claimed he heard the victim's voice at night and saw her at the foot of his bed," Assistant District Attorney Richard Sax told Common Pleas Court Judge Renee Cardwell Hughes. "As an aside, we think he might hear that for the rest of his life," Sax said with sarcasm. Chambers is accused of beating Porchia with a belt and whipping her with an extension cord, then smashing her into a radiator after he caught her watching him have sex with her aunt. Sax argued that the court-appointed psychiatrist, James Jones, spent only about 25 minutes speaking with Chambers before filing a report that the defendant was incompetent to stand trial. Hughes - who last week accepted Jones' evaluation - told Sax that she had spoken with Jones and closely questioned him about the case. "When I pressed Dr. Jones on this issue of 'I think he's faking it,' he maintained his position that we could not have a reliable trial," Hughes said. But Patricia Yusem, the district attorney's administrator of mental health, told the judge that Philadelphia prison health officials did not believe Chambers needed inpatient treatment. On Tuesday, Chambers allegedly told prison officials that "he is looking forward to going to Norristown State Hospital so he can get out of the county prison," Yusem said. Sax recommended that another psychiatrist evaluate Chambers. However, defense attorney Charles P. Mirarchi 3d suggested that prosecutors were shopping for an expert who would report what they want to hear. During a preliminary hearing in the case in 2003, Chambers laughed at inappropriate moments and seemed to be hearing voices, Mirarchi has said. The day after that hearing, Chambers was diagnosed with chronic paranoid schizophrenia. Chambers has also told a different judge he suffers from bipolar disorder. Hughes ordered that Chambers be evaluated today by another psychiatrist. She scheduled a hearing Monday to determine whether he is able to stand trial. Chambers; the aunt, Candace Geiger, 20; and Porchia's mother, Tiffany Bennett, 29, were scheduled to stand trial together on Monday until the issue of Chambers' competency was raised last week. Chambers is charged with first-degree murder and accused of raping two of Porchia's sisters. He is jailed without bail. Geiger is charged with third-degree murder, for allegedly participating in the beating. Bennett is charged with four counts of endangering the welfare of children. She allegedly left Porchia and her 3 other daughters - who were 4, 6 and 10 - in Chambers' care. 3 days before Porchia died, a neighbor called the city's abuse hotline to report that Porchia's 10-year-old sister had severe bruises on her face. 2 days later, a social worker arrived at the apartment in the 1700 block of South Fifth Street, but no one answered the door. The social worker left a note and did not contact police. Porchia died the next day, and her death ultimately changed the way the city searches for at-risk children and responds to hotline reports. (source: Philadelphia Inquirer)
