INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE REBUFFED BY TEXAS OFFICIALS
By: Houston Criminal Attorney John Floyd and Mr. Billy Sinclair
The International Court of Justice recently issued an order staying the execution of five Mexican nationals held on Texas’ death row in response to a petition filed by the Mexican government. The Mexican government is seeking a review of these particular cases to determine whether the State’s denial of the condemned inmates access to the Mexican Consulate after their arrest adversely impacted their defenses.
One of the Mexican nationals is condemned killer Jose Medellin who has an August 5, 2008 scheduled execution date. Gov. Rick Perry immediately issued a statement through a spokesman that the rapist-murderer’s execution would not be halted.
The Houston Chronicle reported that the Mexican government had sought the stays of execution for the Mexican nationals because “the paramount interest in human life is at stake.” The Mexican government reasoned that if the executions are carried out without the denial of access to the Mexican Consulate issue being fully developed, “Mexico would forever be deprived of the opportunity to vindicate its rights and those of the nationals concerned.”
Gov. Perry was not persuaded. Did they think he would be?” The world court has no standing in Texas and Texas is not bound by a ruling or edict from a foreign court,” the Governor said through spokesman Robert Black said. “It is easy to get caught up in discussions of international law and justice and treaties. It’s very important to remember that these individuals are on death row for killing our citizens.” (more…)
