death penalty

Growing Chorus of Advocates and Innocence Organizations Call on President Biden to Commute All Federal Death Sentences

Growing Chorus of Advocates and Innocence Organizations Call on President Biden to Commute All Federal Death Sentences

Letters to President Biden released today say federal death penalty is a failed policy riddled with racial bias and other unfairness.

12.09.24 by Innocence Staff

U.S. President Joe Biden during the official G7 summit welcome ceremony at Castle Elmau in Kruen, near Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, on Sunday, June 26, 2022. The Group of Seven leading economic powers are meeting in Germany for their annual gathering Sunday through Tuesday. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

Letters to President Biden released today say federal death penalty is a failed policy riddled with racial bias and other unfairness.

12.09.24 by Innocence Staff

Robert Roberson Will Not Be Executed in Texas Tonight

Robert Roberson Will Not Be Executed in Texas Tonight

The Texas Supreme Court has reinstated the temporary restraining order requested by the Texas lawmakers.  

10.18.24 by Innocence Staff

12/19/23, Livingston, Texas: Robert Roberson photographed through plexiglass at TDCJ Polunsky Unit. Ilana Panich-Linsman for The Innocence Project

The Texas Supreme Court has reinstated the temporary restraining order requested by the Texas lawmakers.  

10.18.24 by Innocence Staff

The Injustice of Death Row: The Profound Tragedy of Marcellus Williams and the Fight to Save Robert Roberson

The Injustice of Death Row: The Profound Tragedy of Marcellus Williams and the Fight to Save Robert Roberson

From the wrongful execution of Marcellus Williams to the looming threat over Robert Roberson, systemic biases and failures are sending innocent people to death row.

10.09.24 by Alyxaundria Sanford

The Injustice of Death Row: The Profound Tragedy of Marcellus Williams and the Fight to Save Robert Roberson

From the wrongful execution of Marcellus Williams to the looming threat over Robert Roberson, systemic biases and failures are sending innocent people to death row.

10.09.24 by Alyxaundria Sanford

Robert Roberson Asks Texas Court to Stay Oct. 17 Execution and Reconsider Innocence Claim Based on New Scientific Evidence

Robert Roberson Asks Texas Court to Stay Oct. 17 Execution and Reconsider Innocence Claim Based on New Scientific Evidence

86 Bipartisan Texas Legislators Support Roberson’s Innocence and Urge Application of Texas “Junk Science” Law to His Case

10.07.24 by Innocence Staff

Robert Roberson visited with Texas state legislators on Sept. 27, 2024 in Livingston. (Photo courtesy of Rep. John Bucy III)

86 Bipartisan Texas Legislators Support Roberson’s Innocence and Urge Application of Texas “Junk Science” Law to His Case

10.07.24 by Innocence Staff

An Autistic Man Faces Execution: Misdiagnosis, Misjudgment, and a Life on the Line

An Autistic Man Faces Execution: Misdiagnosis, Misjudgment, and a Life on the Line

Robert Roberson, diagnosed with autism after his conviction, faces execution on Oct. 17 due to misjudgments about his demeanor during his daughter’s medical crisis.

09.27.24 by Alyxaundria Sanford

Robert Roberson with his daughter Nikki before she passed away. (Image courtesy of the Roberson family)

Robert Roberson, diagnosed with autism after his conviction, faces execution on Oct. 17 due to misjudgments about his demeanor during his daughter’s medical crisis.

09.27.24 by Alyxaundria Sanford

Robert Roberson’s Attorneys File Motion to Remove Judge From Case and Vacate Execution

Robert Roberson’s Attorneys File Motion to Remove Judge From Case and Vacate Execution

The attorneys cite the invalid assignment of retired judge Deborah Oakes Evans to his case and circumstances that create an appearance that she is biased.

09.25.24 by Innocence Staff

NYT Opinion video: He Didn’t Kill His Child, But He’s About to Be Executed Anyway

The attorneys cite the invalid assignment of retired judge Deborah Oakes Evans to his case and circumstances that create an appearance that she is biased.

09.25.24 by Innocence Staff

Marcellus Williams Asks SCOTUS to Stay His Execution Based on New Evidence of Racial Bias in Jury Selection

Marcellus Williams Asks SCOTUS to Stay His Execution Based on New Evidence of Racial Bias in Jury Selection

Mr. Williams is scheduled to be executed on Sept. 24 in Missouri, despite serious doubts about the integrity of his conviction and overwhelming support for his clemency request. 

09.23.24 by Innocence Staff

Marcellus Williams (Image courtesy of Marcellus' legal team).

Mr. Williams is scheduled to be executed on Sept. 24 in Missouri, despite serious doubts about the integrity of his conviction and overwhelming support for his clemency request. 

09.23.24 by Innocence Staff

For the Third Time, Marcellus Williams Faces Execution: The Grim Reality Unfolding

For the Third Time, Marcellus Williams Faces Execution: The Grim Reality Unfolding

It’s up to Gov. Mike Parson to grant clemency and commute Mr. Williams’ sentence to life without parole.

Urgent 09.20.24 by Jess Natale (so.informed) and Innocence Staff

Marcellus Williams (Image courtesy of Marcellus' legal team).

It’s up to Gov. Mike Parson to grant clemency and commute Mr. Williams’ sentence to life without parole.

Urgent 09.20.24 by Jess Natale (so.informed) and Innocence Staff

69 Muslim, Christian, and Jewish Faith Leaders Ask Gov. Parson to Grant Marcellus Williams Clemency

69 Muslim, Christian, and Jewish Faith Leaders Ask Gov. Parson to Grant Marcellus Williams Clemency

Mr. Williams faces execution in Missouri on Sep. 24, despite evidence of innocence, prosecutor’s confession of racial bias at trial, and victim opposition.

09.19.24 by Innocence Staff

Marcellus Williams (left) with his family. Images courtesy of the Williams family.

Mr. Williams faces execution in Missouri on Sep. 24, despite evidence of innocence, prosecutor’s confession of racial bias at trial, and victim opposition.

09.19.24 by Innocence Staff

Robert Roberson, an Autistic Father Wrongfully Convicted and Sentenced to Death, Applies for Clemency

Robert Roberson, an Autistic Father Wrongfully Convicted and Sentenced to Death, Applies for Clemency

Medical and scientific experts, bipartisan Texas lawmakers, advocates for parental rights, autism organizations, best-selling novelist John Grisham, lead detective Brian Wharton, innocence groups, the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops, and dozens of others urge Texas Pardons Board to recommend, and Gov. Abbott to Grant, clemency.

09.17.24 by Innocence Staff

12/19/23, Livingston, Texas: Robert Roberson photographed through plexiglass at TDCJ Polunsky Unit. Ilana Panich-Linsman for The Innocence Project

Medical and scientific experts, bipartisan Texas lawmakers, advocates for parental rights, autism organizations, best-selling novelist John Grisham, lead detective Brian Wharton, innocence groups, the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops, and dozens of others urge Texas Pardons Board to recommend, and Gov. Abbott to Grant, clemency.

09.17.24 by Innocence Staff

Breaking Attorney Statement: Response to Denial of Robert Roberson’s Appeal and Motion for Stay of Execution

Breaking Attorney Statement: Response to Denial of Robert Roberson’s Appeal and Motion for Stay of Execution

“Robert’s fate is now at the mercy of the Governor." Gretchen Sims Sween, one of Mr. Roberson’s attorneys, responds to today’s denial.

09.11.24 by Innocence Staff

12/19/23, Livingston, Texas: Robert Roberson photographed through plexiglass at TDCJ Polunsky Unit. Ilana Panich-Linsman for The Innocence Project

“Robert’s fate is now at the mercy of the Governor." Gretchen Sims Sween, one of Mr. Roberson’s attorneys, responds to today’s denial.

09.11.24 by Innocence Staff

Attorney Statement: St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Concedes Constitutional Error by Prior Administration In Marcellus Williams' Case

Attorney Statement: St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Concedes Constitutional Error by Prior Administration In Marcellus Williams' Case

The office of St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell conceded that the prior administration committed constitutional errors contributing to Marcellus Williams’ unreliable murder conviction and death sentence.

08.28.24 by Innocence Staff

Marcellus Williams. (Image: Courtesy of Marcellus Williams’ legal team)

The office of St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell conceded that the prior administration committed constitutional errors contributing to Marcellus Williams’ unreliable murder conviction and death sentence.

08.28.24 by Innocence Staff

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