Texas convict praises God, will still likely be executed

The U.S. Supreme Court has halted the execution of a convicted murderer in Texas. Lawyers for Duane Buck, 48, contend that he, a black man, was unfairly sentenced because of a question about race asked during his trial.

AUSTIN, TX (Catholic Online) - The issue at the heart of the controversy has to do with race. A psychologist at Buck's trial said that black people were more likely to commit violence. 

Buck was sentenced to die for fatally shooting his ex-girlfriend and another man who was in her apartment in July 1995. He also wounded his stepsister, who has since forgiven him and asked for his sentence to be commuted. Buck's lawyers are not challenging his guilt, only that he may have been unfairly sentenced because of the psychologist's testimony. They are requesting a new sentencing hearing. 

The case is one of a group of six that Texas Attorney General John Cornyn, now a Republican U.S. Senator, reviewed in 2000 and said needed to be reopened because of the racial testimony. New sentencing hearings were granted in the other five cases and the five men were once again sentenced to death. However, state attorneys argue that Buck's case is different and that the racial comment was too small a factor to warrant a new hearing. 

Governor and Republican presidential contender Rick Perry is a supporter of capital punishment and during his 11 year tenure he has overseen the execution of 235 people convicted of murder. He has halted only four executions, one of those was  of a woman, of which later went forward.
 
Convicted murder Duane Buck was past the start time of his execution when the Supreme Court intervened.  He could have been taken to the death chamber at any time during a six-hour window for his execution, but Texas officials said they were not going to carry out the lethal injection while legal issues were pending. 

Buck was said to be alone, praying at the time he was told of his reprieve. "Praise the Lord!" Buck reportedly said. "God is worthy to be praised. God's mercy triumphs over judgment; I feel good."
While Buck awaits the Supreme Court's decision, Texas is scheduled to execute two more people next week. Buck's odds of ultimately escaping the death penalty are very slim.

What do you think? Should Buck be put to death?
Share your opinions and prayers for Buck and his victims below. 

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