URGENT ACTION APPEAL
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22 July 2005
UA 192/05 Death Penalty
USA (TEXAS) David Martinez (m)
David Martinez, Hispanic, aged 29, is scheduled to be
executed on 28 July 2005, for the murder of a 24-year-old
white woman, Kiersa Paul, in July 1997. Martinez, who is
Hispanic, was 21 at the time.
According to his lawyers, David Martinez suffered abuse and
neglect as a child: his parents divorced after his father
announced that he was gay, and David went to live with his
mother. Social workers appointed to the family apparently
observed that the animals in the home were treated better
than the children. David's adopted brother was taken into the
care of the local authorities, but David remained with his
mother, who took him and left the state.
At a later date David returned to live with his father and,
according to his lawyers, there is evidence to support
allegations that as a teenager he was sexually abused in his
father's home by his father's gay partner and possibly other
men. David ultimately left his father's home and lived with
various friends.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Amnesty International opposes the death penalty in all cases,
regardless of questions of guilt or innocence. The death
penalty is a symptom of a culture of violence, not a solution
to it. It has not been shown to have a unique deterrent effect,
denies the possibility of rehabilitation, carries the risk of
irreversible error as well as inconsistent and discriminatory
application, and consumes resources that could be used to
fight violent crime and assist those affected by it.
Today, 120 countries are abolitionist in law or practice. In the
USA the capital justice system is marked by arbitrariness,
discrimination and error. Since the USA resumed executions
in 1977, it has carried out 974 executions, 345 of which were
carried out in Texas.
In Texas the Governor can grant clemency if the Board of
Pardons and Paroles recommends that he do so. The
Governor also has the power to grant temporary reprieves.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to
arrive as quickly as possible:
- expressing sympathy for the family and friends of Kiersa
Paul, explaining that you are not seeking to excuse the
manner of her death or to minimize the suffering caused;
- opposing the execution of David Martinez;
- urging the Board of Pardons and Paroles to recommend
that the Governor grant clemency to David Martinez;
- urging the Governor to accept such a recommendation, or
in the event that the Board votes against clemency, to use his
power of reprieve to stop the execution and request that the
Board reconsider.
APPEALS TO:
Rissie Owens
Presiding Officer
Board of Pardons and Paroles
1300 11th Street, Suite 520
PO Box 599
Huntsville, TX 77342-0599
Fax: 1 936 291 8367
Salutation: Dear Ms Owens
Charles Aycock
Board of Pardons and Paroles
5809 S. Western, Suite 237
Amarillo, TX 79110
Fax: 1 806 358 6455
Salutation: Dear Mr Aycock
Linda Garcia
Board of Pardons and Paroles
1212 N. Velasco, Suite 201
Angleton, TX 77515
Fax: 1 979 849 8741
Salutation: Dear Ms Garcia
Juanita Gonzalez
Board of Pardons and Paroles
3408 S. State Hwy. 36
Gatesville, TX 76528
Fax: 1 254 865 2629
Salutation: Dear Ms Gonzalez
Jackie DeNoyelles
Board of Pardons and Paroles
207 E Reagan
Palestine, TX 75801
Fax: 1 903 723 1441
Salutation: Dear Ms DeNoyelles
Jose L Aliseda
Board of Pardons and Paroles
420 S Main
San Antonio, TX 78204
Fax: 1 210 226 1114
Salutation: Dear Mr Aliseda
Governor Rick Perry
Office of the Governor
PO Box 12428
Austin, TX 78711-2428
Fax: 1 512 463 1849
Email via: http://www.governor.state.tx.us/contact#contactinfo
Salutation: Dear Governor
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. ALL
APPEALS MUST ARRIVE BY 28 JULY 2005.
Amnesty International is a worldwide grassroots movement that
promotes and defends human rights.
This Urgent Action may be reposted if kept intact, including
contact information and stop action date (if applicable). Thank
you for your help with this appeal.
Urgent Action Network
Amnesty International USA
PO Box 1270
Nederland CO 80466-1270
Email: [email protected]
http://www.amnestyusa.org/urgent/
Phone: 303 258 1170
Fax: 303 258 7881
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END OF URGENT ACTION APPEAL
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