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Texas plans to execute Rodney Reed on November 20, despite a comprehensive showing that he is actually innocent. Powerful evidence implicates Jimmy Fennell, a former cop convicted of sex-related kidnapping charges, as the real killer. theappeal.org/dna-testing-co…
This is Jimmy Fennell who was a police officer until he was sentenced to prison for kidnapping and "improper sexual activity with a person in custody." 
The victim in this case, Stacey Stites was 21-years-old. She was found dead on the side of a dirt road near Bastrop, Texas, on April 23, 1996.
Jimmy Fennel was Stacey Stites' boyfriend.
She was also having a clandestine relationship with Rodney Reed. Stacey was White. Rodney Reed is Black.
Jimmy Fennell made numerous threats that he would kill Stacey if she cheated on him.
She was also having a clandestine relationship with Rodney Reed. Stacey was White. Rodney Reed is Black.
Jimmy Fennell made numerous threats that he would kill Stacey if she cheated on him.
Rodney Reed was convicted by an all-White jury.
The critical issue here, however, is DNA. The prosecutor has refused to allow DNA testing of items found near Stacey's body including a belt, name tag, shirt, and two beer cans.
The belt was used to strangle Ms. Stites. Fennell had threatened to kill Stacey with a belt.
The belt was used to strangle Ms. Stites. Fennell had threatened to kill Stacey with a belt.
These items would exonerate Mr. Reed.
If the case were brought today, these items would be tested for DNA as a matter of course.
It's an extraordinary position to refuse to test them when Mr. Reed's life is at stake. But that is literally what Texas prosecutors are doing.
If the case were brought today, these items would be tested for DNA as a matter of course.
It's an extraordinary position to refuse to test them when Mr. Reed's life is at stake. But that is literally what Texas prosecutors are doing.
Mr. Reed's fate now lies in the hands of the US Supreme Court.
His lawyers have asked whether convicting or executing a person who is innocent violates the U.S. constitution.
His lawyers have asked whether convicting or executing a person who is innocent violates the U.S. constitution.
This may sound crazy, but it is a real legal question.
There is no constitutional right to have DNA tested.
If there has been no other violation of Mr. Reed's constitutional rights, then the court could conceivably rule there is nothing to stop Texas executing him.
There is no constitutional right to have DNA tested.
If there has been no other violation of Mr. Reed's constitutional rights, then the court could conceivably rule there is nothing to stop Texas executing him.
What would make a difference is if Bastrop County DA Bryan Goertz tested the DNA. Because that would exonerate Mr. Reed and make the case for actual innocence absolutely compelling, such that it would be near impossible for any court to allow the execution to happen.
If people flood his office with calls, emails, letters, Twitter DMS demanding he test the items for DNA then that could be one part of an effective strategy in fighting to stop Mr. Reed's execution.
