Supreme Court Stay of Ruben Gutierrez's Execution in Texas

SOURCE www.npr.org
The Supreme Court stayed the execution of death row inmate Ruben Gutierrez in Texas less than 30 minutes before his scheduled lethal injection. Gutierrez claims innocence and seeks DNA testing to prove it, but Texas courts have repeatedly denied his requests. The U.S. Supreme Court will consider his case and decide on the DNA testing question.

Key Points

  • Ruben Gutierrez claims innocence in the 1998 murder of Escolastica Harrison
  • Gutierrez seeks DNA testing of evidence from the crime scene
  • Texas courts have repeatedly denied Gutierrez's DNA testing requests
  • U.S. Supreme Court to consider Gutierrez's case and the DNA testing question

Pros

  • Potential for innocence to be proven through DNA testing
  • Legal review by the U.S. Supreme Court

Cons

  • Denial of DNA testing requests by Texas courts
  • Pending execution and uncertainty of outcome