Thread by @TexasTribune

1/ #TravisRunnels is set to be executed this evening.

Texas officials don’t deny that prosecutors introduced false testimony at his capital murder trial. But they're arguing that the state should still execute him even if they did. bit.ly/2Pfy5Nz

2/ To be clear, there's no question of Runnels' guilt in the 2003 prison murder of Stanley Wiley.

He pleaded guilty at trial, despite knowing the state was seeking the death penalty. bit.ly/2Pfy5Nz

3/ At his punishment hearing, where jurors in part weigh how likely a capital murder convict is to be dangerous in the future, a witness was called to testify on the levels of security Runnels would be under in prison. bit.ly/2Pfy5Nz

4/ But that witness, A.P. Merillat, has given incorrect testimony on prison security classifications that has since led to two overturned death sentences in Texas. bit.ly/2Pfy5Nz

5/ Runnels’ lawyers say the testimony was false, and Merillat acknowledged that he might have been wrong.

The question is whether Merillat's testimony was the reason why the jury decided he’d be a future danger, therefore giving him a death sentence. bit.ly/2Pfy5Nz

6/ The state's brief argues that the jury would have found Runnels to be a future danger regardless of his prison security classification.

But Runnels and his lawyers hope the incorrect testimony will prompt the Supreme Court to stop his execution. bit.ly/2Pfy5Nz

7/7 Runnels is scheduled to be executed Wednesday evening in Texas’ death chamber in Huntsville. Read more on his case from @jsmccullou. bit.ly/2Pfy5Nz