Reginald Blanton, in his final words, thanked his supporters, told his victim’s family that he understood their pain and decried the drugs used to put him to death.
Blanton was condemned to die for the robbery and shooting death of his acquaintance Carlos Garza, 22.
“Believe me, I shed plenty of tears behind Carlos,” he said, looking towards five of Garza’s relatives, including the victim’s mother. “Carlos was my friend.”
Irene Garza cried the moment she looked at Blanton strapped to the gurney in the death chamber at the Huntsville Unit. Garza was flanked by her three daughters and her son’s former wife. Blanton was pronounced dead at 6:21 p.m., eight minutes after the lethal dose of drugs began flowing into his body.
–Michelle Mondo – Express-News
EMERGENCY: EXECUTION SCHEDULED FOR 6 PM *TODAY*
GO TO THE CAPITOL (11th and Congress) AT 5:30
CALL GOV. PERRY NOW AND TELL HIM NOT TO EXECUTE ANOTHER INNOCENT MAN:
(512) 463-2000
Reginald Blanton’s case is riddled with injustice. He was convicted based on coerced statements, later recanted, without a shred of physical evidence; his court appointed attorney did not provide adequate defense; he was convicted by an all-white jury and subjected to a jury shuffle which purposefully excluded African-American jurors.
Reginald’s case is important not just because he is innocent. He help found the DRIVE Movement which has held numerous hunger strikes and protests on death row. Reginald is an inspiration to both death row inmates and human rights activists.
Read more about Reginald Blanton
Today’s edition of Democracy Now! covers Reginald’s case
Video of Reginald’s mother, Anna Terrell, pleading for her son’s life at the Oct. 24 March to Stop Executions in Austin