Texas executes innocent man, no one held accountable

First time proof of an innocent man put to death by The State?

DNA testing recently revealed that Texas wrongly executed Claude Jones in 2000. Mr.  Jones had always maintained his innocence and requested DNA testing.  Hair found at the crime scene was essentially the only link between Jones and the liquor store murder.  The Innocence Project alleges a memo requesting DNA testing was never delivered to George W. Bush while he was governor (full story here). Mr. Jones’ case slipped through the cracks as a result, and he was executed as planned.

“The DNA results prove that testimony about the hair sample on which this entire case rests was just wrong,” said Barry Scheck, a co-founder of the Innocence Project. “This is yet another disturbing example of a miscarriage of justice in Texas capital murder prosecutions. Unreliable forensic science and a completely inadequate post-conviction review process cost Claude Jones his life.”

Now, for a moment, let us consider what would happen in this scenario if the people responsible for this situation were not government agents (police, prosecutors, judges, etc.)  Let us pretend for just a second that they are regular people like you and me.  We shouldn’t have to pretend, really, since the government is comprised of everyday people.  I don’t think most people believe government employees are generally better human beings, or in a higher caste than the rest of us peons.  But in case anyone out there is of that sentiment – let’s pretend for the time being that they are equal to the rest of us.

If an ordinary band of people had kidnapped an innocent man, thrown him in a cage, accused him of murder, set up some sham process to declare he had committed that murder, and then killed him, several consequences would surely ensue.  Some of these actors would be charged with kidnapping, others for assault and/or battery, and some for murder.  In addition, the victim’s family might be able to sue for intentional infliction of emotional distress or wrongful death, among other causes of action, depending on the circumstances.

Now let’s look at what the punitive possibilities are for these police, prosecutors,  judges and executioners who were involved in Mr. Jones’ murder.

Nothing.

Full article at link:

http://networkedblogs.com/aC31Z