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Post by ex member on May 18, 2005 6:22:54 GMT -5
Board denies pardon request Cartwright's execution is set for Thursday
By Neal Falgoust Caller-Times May 18, 2005
The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles voted 7-0 Tuesday to turn down a final request for mercy from condemned killer Richard Cartwright.
The board's action essentially clears the way for Cartwright's scheduled execution on Thursday. Cartwright, 31, was sentenced to death for the Aug. 1, 1996, shooting death of Nick Moraida. Cartwright and two other men lured Moraida to a secluded landing on the bayfront, where they robbed him and cut his throat. Cartwright shot Moraida in the back with a .38-caliber pistol.
Kelly Overstreet and Dennis Hagood, pleaded guilty in return for their testimony against Cartwright. Overstreet, now 27, was sentenced to 50 years in prison on a murder charge for stabbing Moraida. Hagood, now 28, was sentenced to 20 years for robbery.
Cartwright also was offered a plea deal that included 40 years in prison, but he turned it down.
Assuming the execution of another inmate proceeds today, Cartwright will be the 344th person put to death by lethal injection in Texas.
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Post by ex member on May 18, 2005 6:25:15 GMT -5
Heart wrenching. My prayers are with Irene and all his loved ones during this time. Rich is a very special man who God has blessed with many special gifts, I pray he receives a miracle in the next 35 hours.
Big Hugs for his family and supporters!!
Pam
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Post by CCADP on May 18, 2005 6:31:09 GMT -5
Richard and his little daughter
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Post by ex member on May 18, 2005 6:36:58 GMT -5
Oh what an absolutely beautiful, wonderful picture. I am praying for a miracle so that Irene, Ricki and all of those who love Rich are spared from this horrific act of what they call "justice".
Ricki is such a beautiful girl and she loves her Daddy so much, please God, if you're reading this, please please let this little girl's Daddy stay with her. I can feel the love and support Richard has all across the world so I know God must be feeling it and seeing it to. Please let him stay.
Pam
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Post by Maggie on May 18, 2005 6:42:52 GMT -5
Does anyone know why Rich turned down the 40 year deal?
Texas is out of control!
My heart also goes out to Rich and his family-
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Post by mikebook on May 18, 2005 8:04:30 GMT -5
I had the same question...why did his lawyer allow this. Could he not have taken the deal???
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Post by CCADP on May 18, 2005 8:13:52 GMT -5
Its very common.
Especially in the case of innocence; you wouldn't take a deal!
If you know you are innocent of a crime; a 40 year sentence doesn't look like a very good idea. An innocent person thinks that the jury will recognize his innocence and never send him to death.
I don't know much about Richard's case - but this alone should make people take a pause. A guilty person will usually take the deal; instead of taking the chance.
An innocent person ?
Like Jimmy Dennis said before his death trial when offered a plea for a lesser sentence :
"Deal? An innocent man doesn't make deals."
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Post by mikebook on May 18, 2005 8:21:38 GMT -5
You could always fight the conviction on appeal. Were you able to get your John lennon book???
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Post by CCADP on May 18, 2005 8:25:57 GMT -5
thats a fallacy.
You can't retry innocence on appeal.
You can fight the conviction ONLY in that if u can prove the prosecutor or court made a PROCEDURAL error. Convicting an innocent man is not a procedural error according to the courts.
It is nearly impossible to get a retrial on a death row case; which is what you would need to be able to have another chance to prove innocence. We are going through this in the Jimmy case right now. You're lucky if you can get a hearing on a thin issue.
People think these 'years of appeals' are somehow a bunch of judges looking at the case again to see if the jury was wrong. Thats why a lot of people support the DP. They think 10 years of appeals means 10 years of people making sure the guy is guilty.
Its not.
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Post by CCADP on May 18, 2005 8:26:38 GMT -5
Lennon book - now I know where to get it i have to order it - thanks for that! John Lennon is good for you.
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Post by mikebook on May 18, 2005 8:36:25 GMT -5
Appeal at the appellate level. Theylook at cases as well. Write a writ of cert(SP) to the Supreme Court...You could get lucky...
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Post by CCADP on May 18, 2005 8:38:19 GMT -5
Mike - we see these cases and certs denied every single day. "You might get lucky" ? Good justice system.
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Post by mikebook on May 18, 2005 8:38:41 GMT -5
I like science fiction and fantasy...and computer books...
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Post by mikebook on May 18, 2005 8:44:21 GMT -5
As far as Richard goes--What about appeal to Supreme Court? Was that denied also?
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Post by CCADP on May 18, 2005 8:46:35 GMT -5
The Supreme Court refuses to look at most death cases. I'd be suprised if they'd agreed to hear it.
The case has been through all the Courts and appeals channels available. There may be something outstanding as a last chance in a circuit court somewhere but the article above seems to state that its all done....
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