Execution Moving Forward Despite DNA & Corruption Doubts in Stouffer Case
Final Execution of 2021 Set for December 9: Protests Today at 5pm and Thursday at 9am in Oklahoma.
For Immediate Release
December 8, 2021
Contact: Abraham Bonowitz
561–371–5204
Execution Moving Forward Despite DNA & Corruption Doubts in Stouffer Case
Final Execution of 2021 Set for December 9: Protests Today at 5pm and Thursday at 9am in Oklahoma.
Oklahoma City, OK — Despite a clear affidavit from the Innocence Project asserting that DNA evidence exculpates Bigler “Bud” Jobe Stouffer II from the murder of Linda Reaves, the Oklahoma Execution Spree continues to play out with the execution of Mr. Stouffer scheduled for 10am CST on December 9. This affidavit was included in the clemency packet appendix on page 28.
According to the affidavit, multiple attempts to reach Stouffer’s trial attorney at that time with offers to further develop the evidence, and to support this evidence in court, and to cover the costs of same, were not accepted by the attorney. Additional documents are here.
Stouffer’s federal lawsuit challenging Oklahoma’s flawed execution protocol is pending at the US Supreme Court today.
PROTESTS PLANNED FOR THIS EVENING & THURSDAY MORNING
Protesters from Death Penalty Action, the Oklahoma Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty and other allies will gather this evening at 5pm for a visibility action and protest in the park across the street from the Governor’s Mansion at 820 NE 23rd Street in Oklahoma City (parking at OK History Center). Unless the execution is stayed, protesters will gather again on Thursday, December 9 starting at 9am at the Governor’s mansion and also at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary at McAlester, OK. A simultaneous “Virtual Vigil” will also begin at 9am CST on December 9.
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt continues to receive thousands of phone calls, emails and petition signatures urging him to reconsider the clemency recommendation issued by the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board in the case.
“Regardless of one’s feelings about the death penalty, no one can argue that government can be trusted to always get it right, or that capital punishment is an effective public policy,” said Abraham Bonowitz, Director of Death Penalty Action. “It should be particularly concerning that Bob Macy, Joyce Gilcrest and Richard Wintory are all names associated with this prosecution. How can we trust the government when this execution is allowed to go forward despite such questions about the evidence and known corruption by parties involved in the prosecution?”
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