Texas Governor Greg Abbott has finally issued a statement about Rodney Reed. One day after Reed’s stay by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, Abbott spoke to Austin’s FOX7:
“First, I think it’s important for us to have an effective death penalty in the state of Texas when needed to be certain that whenever it’s supplied the person did commit the crime. So I think this is a healthy process that the court announced what it did so we can put beyond the shadow of any doubt what-so-ever that he really is guilty of the crime for which he was convicted,” he said.
Fox also notes that the office of new Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton says “they are reviewing the court’s ruling and did not immediately comment”
This blogger wouldn’t call anything about the Reed case a “healthy process”, but it’s notable that Abbott was finally forced to respond to the highest-profile capital punishment case of his new governorship. As Amnesty International says “Let’s keep the pressure up to ensure clemency!”
Free Rodney Reed! 
How lame was that statement?
If quoted correctly, it is obvious that Governor Abbott is not the smartest guy in the room.
The statement would be comical really if it weren’t such a serious matter as Rodney Reed’s life or death.
That Abbott is basically saying let’s prove Reed guilty when the CCA granted a stay based on newly discovered evidence and prosecutorial misconduct, and additionally, world-renowned forensic pathologist, Dr. Michael Baden, opines that an examination of the evidence supports Rodney Reed’s innocence is truly horrifying.
The people of Texas actually elected Abbott. There must be something wrong with the water there.
I think that the often repeated state motto ought to be amended to “God Help Texas”.
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All that is needed is some good ole common sense.
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This man needs his freedom NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Reblogged this on Wobbly Warrior's Blog.
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I went to school with Rodney and he was nothing but kind to people he would of never killed her.
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1) The prosecutor withheld exculpatory evidence, the 2 beer cans with the DNA of Fennell’s fellow officers, from the defense.
2) How can a retrial or any other hearings related to the Appeals be fair when it is held in the same courtroom as the original trial? With the same judge?
3) If you’re so sure Rodney Reed is guilty why not test the belt for DNA?
4) How is Jimmy Fennell’s violent history towards women not relevant?
5) If half of Stacy Stites family believes in Rodney’s innocence and feels Jimmy Fennell killed their relative doesn’t that hold any weight?
Jimmy Fennell was the prime suspect until the semen of a black man was found inside the white victim. Then the investigators and DA’s office lost all interest in Fennell. And for the record, I’m a middle aged white female who lives in the south. Bastrop should be ashamed that they’ve let this go on as long as it has. You may not be the one to pull the switch but you are murdering him just the same.
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What’s the big deal? If there is new evidence, look at it. It’s not rocket science. With so many people saying that Rodney is innocent, it would be a big mistake to ignore the issue. Shut the folks up, give a new trial and be done with all of it.
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