In yet another controversial execution in Texas, Kristian Oliver is scheduled to be killed by lethal injection on November 5 for the robbery and shooting death of a 64-year-old man in March 1998.
What makes this execution controversial is that Oliver, 32, was sentenced to death after the jury consulted their bibles, and one person on the jury read aloud those passages—specifically passages supporting capital punishment. One of the passages read "And if he smite him with an instrument of iron, so that he die, he is a murderer,” followed by “the murderer shall surely be put to death."
The U.S. Constitution prohibits juries from “external influence”. Bibles are generally not allowed in the jury room, but every appeal Oliver has made has been ignored. High courts do not believe that the biblical passages influenced the jury.
Amnesty International, however, is pushing for Oliver’s death sentence to be vacated. In their campaign to save Oliver, they say, "Even supporters of the death penalty will agree that no one should ever be executed if there is any suggestion of any unfair trial. Khristian Oliver's trial wasn't just unfair; it was a travesty."
Amnesty says that "the Texan Board of Pardon and Paroles should now instruct the state governor to commute Mr. Oliver's death sentence and indeed he should himself stay the execution if the board fails to act." They have an open appeal that can be signed at their website.
AI is also protesting the November 10 scheduled execution of DC Sniper, John Allen Muhammad in Virginia.
Comments
They did not take in account all scripture, if they had they would not be able to misuse the word of God.
The first murderer in the Bible, was Cain, he was protected by God,marked by Him. No one was to murder Cain, and no one did because of that!
It's Texas. You could find a jury of atheist liberals in Texas and they'd still send him to the chair.
Yep-he toast. God Bless Texas. The hell with you liberals.
Maybe.....just maybe he was sentenced to death because he beat a man to death. The man was beat beyond recognition. You all most can't even call it justice Olver had a peacefull death. Mr. Collen's (name you won't mention) wasn't so lucky!
Maybe... just maybe Mr. AlvinLee, you have forgotten that everyone is protected under the Constitution to have the right to a fair trial, including murderers.
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