Stop the Texecution of #BillyWardlow
Brain development continues into your 20’s. How could any jury know if he was a future danger? Turns out, he’s not, and we need not kill him.
Even if you have already called, please call again right now. Our goal is to jam the lines. If it is busy, just keep trying.
UPDATE as of July 7, 2020 at 9:30am EDT: Wardlow still has a petition pending before the US Supreme Court, however he was denied by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals and the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles voted yesterday 6–1 to deny a recommendation of clemency. Please sign this petition and also call Governor Abbott to demand that he stop this execution: 512–463–2000.
Call Texas Governor Abbott Today to say “Stop the Execution of Billy Wardlow.” 512–463–2000
Please sign the petition to stop the execution of Billy Wardlow, currently scheduled for execution in Texas on Wednesday evening (July 8) for the 1993 robbery and murder of 82-year-old Carl Cole.
Billy Wardlow committed his crime at age 18. He has always expressed remorse, and he maintains that there was never a plan to kill anyone, but that during the robbery Mr. Cole resisted and the gun went off. No mitigation was presented at trial. The suggestion that Billy Wardlow would always present a future danger was a key factor in his death sentence. Now more than 25 years later, current neuroscience recognizes that brain development continues into the mid-twenties. No jury could fairly judge how any person will develop in the future, and in fact, Billy Wardlow has not been a disciplinary problem in prison. Click here to read Wardlow’s petition asking the US Supreme Court to take his case.
All new signatures will be delivered to Governor Abbott on your behalf at 1:00 pm central time on Wednesday. Click here to learn more and share the petition.
Please share Death Penalty Action posts from our Facebook and Twitter pages.
Please note: In Texas, the Governor has limited power when it comes to the death penalty. But the story we are told that “it’s out of the governor’s hands,” is only true if we allow it to be. Yes, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles must recommend clemency in that state in order for the Governor to grant clemency (mercy) by commuting a death sentence. But the fact is that the governor appoints the members of the Board of Pardons and Paroles. He can choose to appoint members who will take valid claims and concerns more seriously, instead of acting like rubber-stamping gate-keepers. If he chooses to do so, Governor Abbott can still use his position of power and influence to enact justice in the State of Texas.
Thank you.
And we must renew and redouble our efforts to change our world. Sign petitions to oppose other upcoming executions here.
PS: Like what we do? Help make it happen with your donation today, here! REMINDER: A generous supporter will triple the next $12,000 donated to Death Penalty Action. Gove to day and your donation is automatically increased 200%!
