Thread by @DrRJKavanagh

In six days, Quintin Jones is scheduled to be executed by the state of Texas.

Quin was just 20 when he killed his great aunt while under the influence of drugs. The family have forgiven him and don't want him to be executed. They are asking Governor Greg Abbott for clemency.

Quin has been in prison for 21 years. "Through prayer, sobriety, reconciliation with his family, and longstanding correspondence with pen pals he has found a way to lead a meaningful life and even to enhance the lives of others."
nytimes.com/2021/05/10/opi…

Quin's clemency application details the shoddy legal representation he received. His lawyers missed key filing deadlines and failed to challenge the central arguments in the prosecution's case. chron.com/news/houston-t…

Specifically, in Texas, the state must show "future dangerousness" in order to impose the death penalty. In Quin's case, the prosecutor's argument on this point was based on discredited science and a flawed methodology that has since been rejected for use in death penalty cases.

Quin also received disparate treatment on the basis of race. Ricky "Red" Roosa, who is White and 18 years older than Jones, was known as the "ringleader" of the two men. He was convicted of murdering two other people and was sentenced to life with the possibility of parole.

CW: Child sex abuse

Quin was neglected by his parents through his childhood. He was repeatedly sexually abused by his stepbrother and then his brother. By age 12, he was using drugs as a coping mechanism.

The likelihood that Governor Abbott will grant a request for clemency is remote. But Quin's life is at stake. This is a petition you can sign. change.org/p/texas-govern…

You can also tweet at the governor @GovAbbott.

We did a story tonight about Quin and the death penalty in Texas with the amazing @keribla on Making the Case with @yodittewolde. Clip below. Full segment on YouTube.

https://twitter.com/BNCNews/status/1392656862059933700?s=20