Hank Skinner
TAKE ACTION TODAY!
Hank Skinner is scheduled to be executed today for a crime he quite likely did not commit. The state has refused to test existing DNA evidence for more than a decade.
We need you to CALL GOVERNOR PERRY TODAY and request a stay of execution.
- The number for Texas callers is (800) 252-9600.
- The telephone number for callers from Austin, Texas and out-of-state callers is (512) 463-1782.
- The fax number to the Texas General Counsel's Office for letters is (512) 463-1932.
In his original trial, Skinner was represented by a former district attorney who had previously prosecuted him for theft and assault. He was convicted primarily on the basis of testimony from his ex-girlfriend, which she recanted in 1997, and on circumstantial evidence. Skinner has vigorously maintained his innocence. To date, the State of Texas has refused to test or release all of the DNA evidence that was collected from the crime scene - including fingernails, a rape kit, knives, a towel, and a windbreaker - that could possibly exonerate Skinner.
Here are resources to learn more about the issues with Skinner's conviction:
- You can read the details of the case in an Austin Chronicle story here.
- You can also read a report from the Medill Innocence Project about the case by clicking here.
- You can read an Op-ed from former Texas district attorney Sam Millsap in the Houston Chronicle here.
- And you can read about Skinner and ways to take action at Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty website by clicking here.
- You can also read a letter from Skinner's attorneys to Governor Perry requesting a reprieve and DNA test here. An appendix for the letter is available here.
We need you to take action TODAY to ensure we don't have another Cameron Todd Willingham.
There are three sample letters to the editor that you can submit to your local paper - or to newspapers in Texas - to help draw attention to Skinner's case. You can find them here:
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