Houston criminal defense attorney Patrick McCann made a persuasive argument for opening up Texas' too-secretive pardons and paroles process in Sunday's Outlook section ("Texans deserve public, open clemency process," Outlook, Nov. 29, Page B8). We agree with McCann's contention that this important part of the criminal justice process should be far more transparent; regrettably, it could scarcely be more closed. That ought to be a matter of concern, not just for the accused and convicted, but for all who come in contact with the system. McCann's client, Robert Lee Thompson, was executed recently after Gov. Rick Perry declined to accept a recommendation by the state Board of Pardons and Paroles that Thompson's sentence be commuted to life in prison. The board vote to change Thompson's sentence was made after successful entreaties by McCann and his partner, Rodney Brown. Thompson had been given a capital sentence despite the fact that he did not fir...
Striving for a World without Capital Punishment