We will deliver the signatures and comments on this petition to Texas Governor Rick Perry, who is running for president of the United States. A lot of people already signed and we delivered those signatures to Perry in 2009, but we wanted to repost it on the day that Rick Perry announces he is running for president so that more people can sign. It also allows you to leave a comment when you sign. View Signatures. (Note: If you navigate away from this page and return to it, the submit button may disappear, just reload the page if that happensContinue readingPetition to Texas Governor Rick Perry to Acknowledge Cameron Todd Willingham was Wrongfully Executed

Accompanied by 300 supporters standing outside the gates of the Texas Governor’s Mansion, family members (pictured) of Cameron Todd Willingham delivered a letter to Gov Perry on October 28, 2006 asking him to stop executions and investigate the case of their step son and uncle to determine if he was wrongfully executed. He of course ignored their request and later abused his powers of office to impede the investigation of the Willingham case by the Texas Forensic Science Commission. The Willinghams were in Austin in 2006 for the 7th Annual March to Stop Executions. The 12th Annual March to AbolishContinue reading2006 Letter from Family of Todd Willingham to Texas Governor Rick Perry

The AP is reporting that Texas Governor Rick Perry is running for president of the United States. Perry will be the only person ever to run for president with a record of 234 executions and counting, including the wrongful execution of Todd Willingham and subsequent misuse of gubernatorial power to impede the investigation of a government agency into the case of Willingham.

Dear Rick Perry: We have not forgotten what you did. Before his execution, Todd Willingham said, “Please don’t ever stop fighting to vindicate me.” From the LA Times: Texas Gov. Rick Perry may want to run for president. So let me reintroduce you a former constituent of his, Cameron Todd Willingham Perry, who may soon announce his presidential bid, oversaw the 2004 execution of Willingham, a father of three convicted for the apparent arson murder of his young daughters. Problem was, the evidence used to prove Willingham set the fire that killed his children was based on shoddy science and obsolete investigationContinue readingDear Rick Perry: We have not forgotten Todd Willingham and what you did

Sam Bassett is the former chairman of the Texas Forensic Science Commission who was replaced  by Governor Rick Perry in 2009. I was heartened to see the hard work of the Commissioners in pushing through a report on the Willis/Willingham case this week.  The report is forward looking, as it should be.  It does appear to establish that the science which was largely the basis of Todd Willingham’s conviction was flawed.  We will never know if Willingham was innocent or guilty.  However, one thing is certain – much of the “expert” testimony used to convict him was not based uponContinue readingStatement of Sam Bassett on Forensic Science Commission’s Report on Todd Willingham

Here is the draft of the report on the Todd Willingham case that will be discussed at the meeting of the Texas Forensic Science Commission this Thursday and Friday. The AP says “the Texas Forensic Science Commission said Thursday it will not issue a finding on the arson determination until the state attorney general rules whether it has jurisdiction to do so.“. Draft of Report by Texas Forensic Science Commission on Todd Willingham Case The Texas Forensic Science Commission will meet, Thursday and Friday, April 14 and 15 in Austin. The last item on the agenda is to “Consider Willingham/Willis (#09-01) reportContinue readingText of Draft Report on Todd Willingham Case by Texas Forensic Science Commission

The Texas Forensic Science Commission will meet, Thursday and Friday, April 14 and 15 in Austin. The last item on the agenda is to “Consider Willingham/Willis (#09-01) report draft and adopt final report“. The hearing starts at 1 PM on Thursday and at 9:30 AM on Friday. It is likely that they will not get to the major discussion on the Willingham case until Friday, since it is last on the agenda. There is a public comment period on the agenda for this meeting right before the discussion on the Todd Willingham report. The chair of the Commission, John Bradley,Continue readingForensic Science Commission Meeting April 14-15 in Austin to Adopt Todd Willingham Report

John Bradley’s mean-spirited, unethical behavior as chair of the Texas Forensic Science Commission appears to have lost him support in the Texas Senate for his confirmation. We pushed for John Bradley’s removal as chair of the Texas Forensic Science Commission from the day he was appointed in 2009 because we knew his appointment was part of an attempt to impede the investigation into whether faulty forensic science led to the wrongful conviction of Todd Willingham. Now, it appears that the Texas Senate agrees with us that John Bradley is unfit to be chair of the Forensic Science Commission. From theContinue readingJohn Bradley Loses Support in Texas Senate for Confirmation to Forensic Science Commission

Elizabeth Gilbert will attend and speak to students at the Anti-Death Penalty Alternative Spring Break, which is March 14-18, 2011 in Austin (To register for the spring break click here). Elizabeth will attend on Thursday, March 17, when the program includes a screening at the SXSW Film Festival of a new documentary about the Todd Willingham case –  “Incendiary“.  The film screens at noon March 17 at the Rollins Theater at the Long Center. After the screeening, Elizabeth Gilbert will participate in a discussion about the film and about the Todd Willingham case, along with the fimmakers. Elizabeth Gilbert isContinue readingTodd Willingham’s Friend Elizabeth Gilbert to Attend Anti-Death Penalty Alternative Spring Break