Like the proverbial broken clock that is right twice a day, it looks like the Republican Texas Attorney General, Greg Abbott, has finally rendered a decision in the best interests of Texas and its citizens.
Timothy Cole (pictured) was a Fort Worth resident who was unjustly convicted of rape and sent to prison. He died in prison before it was proven that he did not commit the crime. Since then, his family has been working to clear his good name. They wanted the governor to grant him a posthumous pardon.
That seems to be the least that Texas can do for Mr. Cole and his family. The grave injustice done to him cannot be undone due to his death, but at least his family should be given the gift of clearing his good name. But until now, Governor Perry has claimed he could not do that because of Texas law, saying that law does not allow for a posthumous pardon to be done.
That is no longer true. AG Abbott has issued a new legal opinion saying, "Given this shift in Supreme Court precedent and the Legislature's apparent recognition of this shift, we believe a Texas court would likely conclude that the Governor may grant a posthumous pardon under current Texas law, so long as all other constitutional requirements are met. We believe a court would likely conclude that the Board of Pardons and Paroles is authorized to recommend that the Governor grant a posthumous pardon."
Governor Perry, the ball is now in your court. For once, do the right thing. Grant this pardon.
agreed..
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