Post-Willingham Review

Just a quick note today; new evidence in the Cameron Todd Willingham case suggests that Texas executed a man based on testimony that was purchased with a promise to be lenient in his burglary case; Willingham was executed in 2004, despite the insistence of experts that his conviction was based on faulty science.

Eleven years later, the struggle for exoneration continues; a letter from the records of the jailhouse snitch in question has surfaced, and it looks like he demanded, and received, lesser charges in exchange for his testimony. John Jackson, the prosecutor, secured a new post-conviction judgement that allowed the witness to be considered eligible for parole immediately.

“Things with key witness Webb looked suspicious enough before this new letter was reported. According to Possley's previous reporting, Webb testified against Willingham and did indeed get a lighter sentence, a truck and financial support for years while he was both in and out of prison. He also attempted to recant his statement that Willingham had confessed to murdering his three daughters while he and Webb were in the Navarro County Jail, though the letter he sent was never put in Willingham's file or given to Willingham's lawyers.”

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/letter-from-witness-casts-further-doubt-on-2004-texas-execution/2015/03/09/d9ebdab8-c451-11e4-ad5c-3b8ce89f1b89_story.html?tid=pm_politics_pop

http://blogs.houstonpress.com/news/2015/03/more_disturbing_details_emerge_on_the_willingham_case.php

http://blogs.houstonpress.com/news/2015/03/more_disturbing_details_emerge_on_the_willingham_case.php