Policy

Hank Skinner Scheduled for Execution Tomorrow

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As noted earlier today, tonight I'll be moderating a panel that will discuss the case of Cameron Todd Willingham, the Texas man executed in 2006 who critics say was innocent.

Coincidentally, unless the U.S. Supreme Court or Texas Gov. Rick Perry intervene, Texas will execute Henry "Hank" Skinner tomorrow. The Medill Innocence Project has raised serious questions about Skinner's guilt. In Skinner's case, there is untested crime scene DNA evidence that could either confirm his guilt, strongly suggest his innocence, or call his guilt enough into doubt to merit halting his execution. For eight years, prosecutors have refused to allow the evidence to be tested, and have to this point been backed by both Texas and federal appeals courts.

I wrote about Skinner's case last month.