Wednesday, November 15, 2006

Executioner's holiday

Charles Nealy's scheduled execution tomorrow was delayed by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals so a Dallas trial court can investigate the recantation of a key witness who says police bullied him into a misidentification.

It would be Dallas, wouldn't it, where another possible witness misidentification happens in a capital murder case? We'll see what the trial court says.

With Nealy out of immediate jeopardy, Texas has no more executions through the end of the calendar year. However, five are planned in January. It's like we're taking a Christmas break ... an executioner's holiday.

The last death row inmate killed by the state was Willie Shannon, who was put down on Nov. 8. Shannon's death brought to 24 the final total for Texas executions in 2006.

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