A false testimony may have put a Texas man on death row, his attorneys say. He was executed anyway
This is a pretty stupid headline by WaPo.
The obvious implication there is that he might be innocent and they just executed him. OMG!! Injustice!
Well then you realize this part of the story is so completely irrelevant only a hack would report it that way. There was zero question of Travis Runnels guilt. Evidence was clear and he even plead guilty. The false testimony came during the punishment phase. In order to get the death penalty you have to prove to the jury that the convicted will be a danger in the future. Whether that be to prison guards, other prisoners, staff, visitors, whatever. Well the man was convicted of killing a
prison guard by slitting his throat because he was unhappy with his job assignment. He also had numerous other incidents of attacking guards.
The false testimony came from a man that testified on behalf of the state and spoke to what prison classifications were assigned to different prisoners and how security was at those levels. His testimony was incorrect about the assignment of levels. He has admitted it was incorrect. The state has admitted it was incorrect. The courts determined it didn't matter since they felt that killing a
prison guard is what sold the jury on thinking he would be a danger in the future to
prison guards.
Crazy, I know.