On Wednesday, Texas is set to carry out the execution of Ramiro Gonzales by lethal injection for a 2001 murder case. Gonzales, 41, was convicted and sentenced to death in 2006 for the sexual assault and killing of 18-year-old Bridget Townsend. His attorneys have appealed to the US Supreme Court, arguing that he should be ineligible for the death penalty under state law due to no longer being considered dangerous.
During the trial, jurors in Texas are required to determine the probability of a capital defendant continuing to commit criminal acts of violence to be eligible for the death penalty. Gonzales' attorneys have presented evidence suggesting that he is no longer a threat, pointing to his Christian faith, ministry work in prison, and altruistic actions such as attempting to donate a kidney to a stranger.
The defense also contests the accuracy of the expert witness testimony that diagnosed Gonzales with antisocial personality disorder, citing incorrect recidivism data and a subsequent reevaluation that contradicted the initial assessment. They argue that the lack of a post-conviction review of the jury's determination on Gonzales' dangerousness violates his Constitutional rights.
Despite the plea for clemency, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles declined to recommend it in a 7-0 vote. Governor Greg Abbott is limited by state law to granting a one-time 30-day reprieve without the board's recommendation.
Gonzales' case dates back to January 2001 when he murdered Bridget Townsend after a drug-related incident. He confessed to the crime while in jail for another offense, leading authorities to the victim's body.
If executed, Gonzales would be the eighth person put to death in the US this year. Meanwhile, Oklahoma is also preparing for an execution, with Richard Rojem facing the death penalty for the 1984 kidnapping, rape, and murder of his 7-year-old stepdaughter, Layla Cummings.
Both cases have sparked debates over the administration of capital punishment, with advocates on both sides expressing their views on the upcoming executions.
