Perry Hid Report And Pressured Committee

A couple of weeks ago, Texas governor Rick Perry replaced several members of the Texas Forensic Science Commission (TFSC). This happened just days before the commission was to meet and consider the case of executed inmate Cameron Todd Willingham.

Three separate investigations involving nine of the nation's top arson experts had concluded the original investigation was deeply flawed, and Willingham was most likely innocent of the crime he was for which he was executed. It was expected the TFSC would issue a report saying the executed man was innocent. It would be the first time a state agency in Texas admitted an innocent man was executed.

At the time, many progressive bloggers (including myself) accused the governor of shaking up the commission to delay the report and cover up his own involvement in the execution of Willingham. Since then, evidence has surfaced that shows the blogger accusations were well-founded.

We now know the governor received a report from fire experts showing the evidence used to convict Willingham was faulty, and that he was very probably innocent. Perry ignored the new evidence and allowed the man to be executed. At the current time, Perry and his aides are refusing to release this report. They claim the report he received is not a "public record".

How could a report submitted to the governor about a pending execution, including the comments of state employees (his aides and advisors) about the report, not be considered a part of the public record? Could it be because the governor is trying to hide the fact that he allowed an innocent man to be executed so he could pander to his right-wing death penalty-loving base of voters?

It's now become apparent that the governor replaced members of the TFSC because he could not pressure the commission into helping him cover up the fact that he was willing to trade an innocent life for votes. Samuel Bassett, ex-TFSC chairman, said he was summoned twice to meetings with Perry's top attorneys, where he was told the governor did not like the direction their investigation was taking.

Bassett said, "I was surprised that they were involving themselves in the committee's decision-making. I did feel some pressure from them, yes. There's no question about that."

Do we really want a governor that would allow the execution of an innocent man and try to pressure a state commission to help him cover it up, and then replace the members of that commission when they determine to do their duty? He has successfully delayed the commission's report, but hopefully it won't help in his cover-up.

The story is out now, and you can expect to hear a lot about it in next year's campaigns.

Gov. Plays Politics With Innocent Man's Execution

It's certainly starting to look like Texas Governor Rick Perry will do anything to protect his political future -- including covering up the execution of an innocent man. The man is Cameron Todd Willingham, and he was executed in 2004 while Rick Perry was the Texas governor.

Mr. Willingham was convicted of setting a house fire that caused the death of his three children. But as I wrote back in August, there have been three separate investigations since his conviction and nine of the nations top fire scientists have examined the evidence. They all reach the same conclusion -- there was no evidence of arson! The conclusions said that the original fire marshal used "outdated theories and folklore" to reach the conclusion that there was arson.

The last investigation was ordered by the Texas Forensic Science Commission (TFSC). They were to meet today to discuss the findings of that investigation and then issue a report on the case. It was widely expected the commission report would determine that the forensic science used to get the conviction was faulty, and that Texas had executed an innocent man. It would have been the first time an official state agency had admitted an innocent man was executed.

But Perry was having none of it. Earlier this month, Perry derided the top fire scientists as "supposed experts" and said he was sure Willingham was guilty. Perry has another election coming up soon, and he's not about to admit an innocent man was executed during his reign as governor -- and he's not about to let a state commission reach that conclusion either.

Just a couple of days before the TFSC was to meet and consider the case, Perry informed three of the commission members that their services were no longer needed. He has replaced two of them, including the commission chairman (and must wait for a recommendation from the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association before he can replace the third).

Of course, that means the commission will not consider the results of the investigation at this time. The new chairman, Williamson County District Attorney John Bradley, said "I don't see how we can successfully have a meeting with the board turnover and lack of time for an orientation and education for the new board members."

The investigation (and report) have been delayed indefinitely. I don't think I'm going out on a limb to predict it won't happen before next year's election.