16 Texas Senators urge Governor Abbott and parole board to stop execution of Rodney Reed

11.08.19 By Innocence Staff

Rodney Reed in Allan B. Polunsky Unit, West Livingston, Texas in 2015. (Image: Courtesy of Massoud Hayoun/ Al Jazeera)

Rodney Reed in Allan B. Polunsky Unit, West Livingston, Texas in 2015. (Image: Courtesy of Massoud Hayoun/ Al Jazeera)

Reed is scheduled for execution on November 20, despite evidence of innocence 

(Austin, Texas – November 8, 2019) – Eight Republican and eight Democratic Texas senators signed a letter urging Governor Abbott and the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles to grant a reprieve to Rodney Reed, who is scheduled for execution on November 20. Earlier this week, 26 other Texas lawmakers wrote to the Governor expressing an urgency to stop the execution. 

Reed has been on death row since 1998 for the 1996 murder of Stacey Stites in Bastrop, Texas. Since his trial, there is substantial evidence that exonerates Reed and implicates Stites’ then-fiancé Jimmy Fennell, a former local police officer.

Act now: Stop the execution of Rodney Reed

“Granting Mr. Reed a reprieve until the new developments in his case are fully resolved will allow the cloud of doubt surrounding his guilt to be lifted. Only then should our justice system proceed with decisions that cannot be undone,” the letter sent on November 8 says.

Read the letter in full.

Leave a Reply

Thank you for visiting us. You can learn more about how we consider cases here. Please avoid sharing any personal information in the comments below and join us in making this a hate-speech free and safe space for everyone.

This field is required.
This field is required.
This field is required.

Wilbur Ross November 14, 2019 at 12:47 pm Reply   

Do not execute

Kelly Johnson November 12, 2019 at 9:35 pm Reply   

Gov Abbott, Normally I support the death penalty. However, when you have what appears to be with holding of DNA, etc that could exonerate a man. As a Christian , there should not be any penalty unless the prosecutor is the same that convicted Jesus. You are the Pilot in this case. Please do what a true Christian man would do. If the truth could set this man free-please allow him that chance.

See More

We've helped free more than 240 innocent people from prison. Support our work to strengthen and advance the innocence movement.