Reinaldo Dennes, 70 years old, has been given an execution date in Texas for November 19, 2026. He was convicted for the 1996 murder of Janos Szucs.
Over the course of his appeals, Dennes has challenged how the prosecution handled evidence, namely eyewitnesses. In exchange for dismissing two criminal charges against him, the state had another individual testify against Dennes – allegedly falsely.
Dennes, an immigrant from Cuba, was married with three children and was a Tae-Kwon-do enthusiast. Dennes fell into a cycle of substance abuse that, in part, contributed to his offenses.
It has been several decades since Dennes was sentenced. His execution cannot reverse the harm he caused nearly thirty years earlier, nor will it be inflicted on the person he was when this crime took place. 30 years changes a person. He’s spent this time reflecting on his choices and rehabilitating himself.
It has been several decades since Dennes was sentenced; his execution would not reverse harm that the victims have suffered through an irreversible action. Texas has not properly considered the implications and mental suffering of sitting on death row for over thirty years. In that time, Dennes has had an opportunity to reflect on his choices and learn from them, and will ultimately be punished for a decision he made many years ago.