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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250925T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250925T235959
DTSTAMP:20250715T132736Z
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LAST-MODIFIED:20250715T132736Z
UID:22472-1758758400-1758844799@redletterchristians.org
SUMMARY:Stop the Execution of Blaine Milam in Texas
DESCRIPTION:Blaine Milam has an execution scheduled in Texas on September 25\, 2025 for the 2008 murder of Amora Carson. \nCall Gov. Abbott at 512-463-2000 with the following message: \n“Hi. My name is [your name]. I am calling to express deep concern that the State of Texas is moving ahead with plans to execute Blaine Milam in September – a man with significant intellectual limitations. He has the reading ability of a 13 year old – that is a CHILD not adult. 23 years ago\, the US Supreme Court ruled that executing those with intellectual disabilities was unconstitutional. Texas ought to follow the guidelines set forth by our highest court.” \n\nBlaine Milam is an East Texas man who’s on death row for the 2008 beating death of 13-month-old Amora Carson. Milam was scheduled to be executed in 2021\, but a Texas appeals court granted a request to stay his execution; his lawyers argued he displayed significant limitations in intellectual functioning. \nThe State argues that the limits of his intellectual capacity are insufficient to exclude him from eligibility for execution\, however everyone agrees that he reads at an eighth grade level\, which is typical of people 13-14 years of age. That’s not an adult. He should not be executed. \nBlaine Milam is intellectually disabled. Related to this critical death penalty case\, The Arc of the United States\, The Arc of Texas\, Disability Rights Texas\, and the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD)\, along with law firm Fried\, Frank\, Harris\, Shriver & Jacobson LLP\, filed a “friend-of-the-court” brief urging the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals to protect people with intellectual disability from unconstitutional executions. The groups took a stand in support of accurate identification of intellectual disability in the case of Blaine Milam\, an inmate now on death row. Their message to the court was clear: when it comes to determining who has intellectual disability\, courts must refer to clinical standards—not stereotypes. Unfortunately\, the US Supreme Court did not grant relief to Mr. Milam and he has again been scheduled for execution. \nLearn more about these issues here and here. \nTexas’ aggressive execution schedule marks it as an outlier in its use of the death penalty while the majority of other states are on a downward trend of executions. In 2019\, Texas accounted for 9 of the nation’s 22 state executions\, and in 2020 accounted for 3 of the 7 state executions. \nPlease sign the petition asking Governor Abbott and the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles to do everything within their power to stop this execution\, including issuing a stay\, and seeking a path to clemency in the case. \nPetitions will be delivered on your behalf in advance of the execution. \nAdditionally\, you may reach out now to the Board at bpp_clemency@tdcj.texas.gov and the Governor at https://gov.texas.gov/contact/ and (512) 463-1782. You can simply leave a voice message\, or choose to speak to a representative if you prefer. \nPlease note: In Texas\, the Governor does have limited power when it comes to the death penalty. But the story we are told that “it’s out of the governor’s hands\,” is only true if we allow it to be. Yes\, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles must recommend clemency in that state in order for the Governor to grant clemency (mercy) by commuting a death sentence. But the fact is that the governor appoints the members of the Board of Pardons and Paroles. He can choose to appoint members who will take valid claims and concerns more seriously\, instead of acting like rubber-stamping gate-keepers. He can still use his position of power and influence to enact justice in the State of Texas. \nSign the petition
URL:https://redletterchristians.org/event/stop-the-execution-of-blaine-milam-in-texas/
CATEGORIES:Execution Alert
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://redletterchristians.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Execution-Alert-Draft.png
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250925T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250925T235959
DTSTAMP:20250715T132837Z
CREATED:20250715T132837Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250715T132837Z
UID:22474-1758758400-1758844799@redletterchristians.org
SUMMARY:Stop the Execution of Geoffrey West in Alabama
DESCRIPTION:Geoffrey West is scheduled for execution in Alabama on September 25\, 2025 for the 1997 murder of Margaret Berry.\n \n\nCall Gov. Ivey 334-242-7100 with the following message: \n“Hi. My name is [your name]. I am calling to express deep concern that the State of Alabama is moving forward with the execution of Geoffrey West in September. Beyond the concerns we hold regarding the method Alabama has chose to implement starting last year\, there are issues in Mr. West’s case – not limited to the Court allowing prosecution to disparage defense counsel and not allowing testimony by expert witnesses. We encourage the State to immediately halt plans to kill Mr. West!” \n\nIf carried out\, it would be the nation’s eighth execution by nitrogen gas\, a method Alabama began using last year as an alternative to lethal injection. \nWhile the vast majority of states with capital punishment continue on a downward trend of executions\, Alabama has continued to go against trend by carrying on with scheduled execution dates.  Additionally\, the State of Alabama has repeatedly shown blatant incompetence in carrying out executions – they need to pause ALL executions to allow for meaningful review of their protocols. \nConcerns in Mr. West’s case: \n1. The trial was marred by the Court allowing the prosecutor to disparage\, denigrate\, and insult defense counsel when he argued to the jury in closing argument that a statement made by defense counsel was ‘part of the fairy tale that y’all have been hearing from the defense side.’ \n2. Expert witnesses were not allowed to testify. \n3. There is a lack of scientific evidence supporting the use of nitrogen gas for human execution\, and the American Veterinary Medical Association advises against its use for most mammals because it can cause panic and distress. We continue to condemn the use of nitrogen hypoxia – it is neither quick nor painless and we believe it constitutes torture or at the least amounts to cruel and unusual punishment which is barred by the U.S. Constitution. \n4. Alabama has a duty to carry out executions under the protection of the U.S. Constitution. For this reason we believe there should be a stay of executions to allow for a thorough study of the state’s capital punishment practices in light of the serious objections raised over how it administers the death penalty. \n\nAdditional Information and Action Opportunities Regarding Alabama Executions\n\nClick here for information about Gas Suffocation Executions\n\nClick here for The Pull Back The Curtains Campaign to Demand Full Transparency in Alabama Executions
URL:https://redletterchristians.org/event/stop-the-execution-of-geoffrey-west-in-alabama/
CATEGORIES:Execution Alert
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