Texas gov. gives copy of pardon to man's family

Started by neoteny, Mar 19, 2010, 08:53 PM

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neoteny

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Texas gov. gives copy of pardon to man's family
Angela K. Brown, Associated Press Writer   - Fri Mar 19, 8:30 pm ET

FORT WORTH, Texas - The family of a Texas man who died while imprisoned for a rape he didn't commit cried and hugged at his graveside Friday with a framed copy of the state's first posthumous pardon -- a document that finally proves his innocence.

Gov. Rick Perry granted Timothy Cole's pardon nearly three weeks ago. He gave Cole's relatives the pardon document earlier Friday at a Fort Worth hotel, completing their long-fought ordeal.

"This is a solemn occasion but it's also a joyful occasion," Perry said. "It's solemn because we're very mindful of the loss that was suffered by the Cole family, and we're joyful because we've restored Timothy's good name."

Cole was cleared by DNA testing in 2008, nine years after he died in prison at age 39 of asthma complications. He had spent more than 13 years behind bars, steadfastly maintaining his innocence of the rape of a Texas Tech University student in Lubbock.

Despite urgings for the pardon from Cole's family, Perry had said he lacked the authority to grant a posthumous pardon. But he granted it earlier this month after the state attorney general clarified the law in January. The Innocence Project of Texas then submitted a formal pardon request to the Board of Pardons and Paroles.

"Our family would like to thank those who worked so diligently to make this day come to pass," said Cole's mother, Ruby Session. She thanked her son, Timothy, too, "for his contributions, even though he's not here, towards affecting change and improvement in the criminal justice system."

Texas leads the nation in inmate exonerations. More than 40 Texas inmates have been released after being cleared -- most exonerated by DNA evidence, according to the Innocence Project of Texas. Four of those men attended the presentation at the hotel.

Cole's brother, Cory Session, urged inmates who are innocent to keep fighting to clear their names and not to "surrender or languish in their cells."

At the grave site, under a tree near a pond at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Fort Worth, Cory Session said his family considered the pardon "a sacred document" and would place it in his mother's home on the mantle.

"Nearly 25 years ago this week, the American dream that Timothy was pursuing turned into an American nightmare," he said, referring to his brother's 1985 arrest in the woman's rape. He said his brother's name now stands for "innocent men and women convicted on lousy evidence."

The 2008 test that cleared Cole implicated convicted rapist Jerry Wayne Johnson, who confessed in several letters to court officials dating back to 1995. But Johnson cannot be prosecuted for the rape that sent Cole to prison because the statute of limitations has expired.
The spreading of information about the [quantum] system through the [classical] environment is ultimately responsible for the emergence of "objective reality." 

Wojciech Hubert Zurek: Decoherence, einselection, and the quantum origins of the classical

BRIAN

Crap.

Well at least his family has the solace of knowing his name is restored.
You may sleep soundly at night because rough men stand ready to visit violence upon those who seek to harm you.

Cordell Walker


Crap.

Well at least his family has the solace of knowing his name is restored.


I know this guy died in custody and wasnt sentenced to death, but as a Texan, that is my beef with the death penalty. Unlike this guy, most of those who got  exonerated for rape on DNA, got to get out of TDC and try to pick up the peices...........not so much when you get the needle. Never was a fan of Perry, but he did the right thing this time, there was even an article in the star telegram about it. To be honest I tend to think wrongful convictions happen a lot more often that law enforcement and their advocates like to admit.
"how can you kill women and children?"---private joker
"Easy, ya just dont lead em as much" ---Animal Mother

dr e

So how many heads will roll due to this hateful, life ruining miscalculation?  The cops, the prosecutor, the false accuser?  Who will be held responsible and accountable?  NO ONE.  NO ONE.

FS
Contact dr e  Lifeboats for the ladies and children, icy waters for the men.  Women have rights and men have responsibilties.

oz615


So how many heads will roll due to this hateful, life ruining miscalculation?  The cops, the prosecutor, the false accuser?  Who will be held responsible and accountable?  NO ONE.  NO ONE.

FS


It really amazes me that they are able to sleep at night.
en are people too

Gungerassa


So how many heads will roll due to this hateful, life ruining miscalculation?  The cops, the prosecutor, the false accuser?  Who will be held responsible and accountable?  NO ONE.  NO ONE.

FS


You got it!!  That was organized crime! 

And I'll betcha he would not have died of Asthma complications outside of prison.  So much for socialized medicine.

neoteny


It really amazes me that they are able to sleep at night.


It helps a great deal if you have no working conscience.
The spreading of information about the [quantum] system through the [classical] environment is ultimately responsible for the emergence of "objective reality." 

Wojciech Hubert Zurek: Decoherence, einselection, and the quantum origins of the classical

BRIAN

It seems like Texas has the least competant sworn officers and crime lab techs in the country.
You may sleep soundly at night because rough men stand ready to visit violence upon those who seek to harm you.

Cordell Walker


It seems like Texas has the least competant sworn officers and crime lab techs in the country.


yeah
google "terrell bolton"
he used to be the police chief in Dallas
"how can you kill women and children?"---private joker
"Easy, ya just dont lead em as much" ---Animal Mother

The Gonzman


It seems like Texas has the least competant sworn officers and crime lab techs in the country.


That is a big problem with Texas; the people who think it is better an innocent man be jailed than a guilty man walk free have gotten the upper hand.

I am all for a stable and secure society, with persons and property protected, but there are always tradeoffs.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the Shadow of death, I shall fear no evil, for I am the MEANEST son-of-a-bitch in the valley.

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