The Impending Execution of Lee Taylor

Because of demands elsewhere, I removed myself from blogging for the last three weeks. During that period, one execution, that of Gaylord Bradford, was carried out though I had not reviewed it. Now late in this day, the 15th of June,  will review the cases of two people about to die.

I begin with the case of Lee Andrew Taylor of Texas. The case is, from my perspective, simple. He killed a fellow prisoner with malice and premeditation. Of that, there seems to be little dispute.  From his District Court appeal, I offer the following summary.

At the age of sixteen, Taylor was sentenced to life in prison for aggravated robbery. On April 1, 1999, while serving that sentence, he killed Donta Greene, another inmate. Greene had been involved in stealing property from inmate Daniel Richbourg, who was a friend of Taylor's. During the night of March 31, 1999, Taylor and Richbourg, communicating by note, planned a response to the theft. The next morning, Taylor fastened an ice-pick like weapon to his hand, and, when he encountered Greene, stabbed him some thirteen times. Richbourg, who had fastened a knife-like weapon to his hand, kept other inmates from breaking up the fight between Taylor and Greene. Eventually the guards gassed the room and ordered the inmates to lay down. Taylor did so, and then unfastened his weapon and threw it to the guards. As he was being led from the room, he shouted to Greene, "That's what you get for stealing, Bitch." Greene died shortly thereafter.

While I oppose the execution of anyone who might be factually innocent of the crime for which they were sentenced to death, I stand mute regarding the probity, wisdom, or morality of most executions.

In the case of Lee Taylor, I stand mute.