Presidential bid, new documentary put Texas execution record back on national radar
Rick Halperin, director of SMU's Human Rights Program, talks about how Gov. Rick Perry's bid for president has put Texas' execution record on the national radar.
Dawn Tongish
The 33 News
DALLAS, TX— He has become the face of the anti-death penalty rally. Cameron Todd Willingham was executed in Texas after being convicted for setting a fire that killed his three young girls near Corsicana in 2005.
A new "Incendiary" tells the story of Willingham and the debate surrounding his guilt or innocence. The movie, set to be released this week, is again putting the Texas execution chamber back in the national spotlight.
"This system has a lot of problems," SMU human rights activist, Rick Halperin said.
Halperin says Hollywood's focus on the death penalty is spotlighting the system that he says is full of flaws.
"Texas cases just continually come before the US Supreme Court. It is the norm and that should signal something."
Read the full story or watch the video news report.
# # #