Texas Governor Commutes 28 Death Sentences
Wed Jun 22,11:54 PM ET
The Supreme Court forced the commutations with its March ruling that executing juveniles violates the Eighth Amendment ban on cruel and unusual punishment.
Texas — the nation's most active death penalty state — was one of 18 states that allowed the practice.
Perry's order starts the process of moving the inmates off death row.
"While these individuals were convicted by juries of brutal murders and sentenced to die for their heinous crimes, I have no choice but to commute these sentences to life in prison as a result of the Supreme Court ruling," Perry said.
Nine convicted killers have been put to death in Texas so far this year.
Full Coverage: Death Penalty
- High court takes aim at poor defense
at USATODAY.com Jun 21 - Justices Overturn a Death Sentence, Citing an Inadequate Defense Council
at The New York Times (reg. req'd) Jun 21
- Supreme Court overturns death sentence, cites inadequate defense Knight Ridder Newspapers via Yahoo! News Jun 20
- Major Death Penalty Rulings This Term AP via Yahoo! News Jun 20
News Stories
- Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy Rides Again
at Village Voice May 25
- Using software to model death row outcomes
at Christian Science Monitor Apr 27
Feature Articles
- Death penalty debate finally produces useful result
at USATODAY.com Jun 22
- Death penalty works
at USATODAY.com Jun 22
Opinion & Editorials
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