Edward Green III

On October 5, 2004 the State of Texas is scheduled to execute Edward Green III for the August 31, 1992 murder of Edward Perry Haden and Helen OSullivan, who died from the same bullet in the course of a botched robbery. Edward had turned 18 only months before his arrest for this offence and has been on death row for over ten years.

There were many issues in Greens case that should have been raised in the Trial Courts but were overlooked, making this an unfair process of justice.

For example, even though the jury deadlocked during sentencing deliberations, an automatic life sentence was not applied as it should have been, apparently because defense counsel neglected to raise the issue at trial. Further, the Trial Court neglected to explain various vital definitions to the jury even when the jury requested same, and that had the jury been properly advised, their deadlock might have resulted in the automatic life sentence.

With proper defense preparation the mitigating evidence of Mr. Greens mental illness would likely have reached the standard of sufficient mitigating evidence required for the sentence of death to be overruled.

We, the undersigned, wish to stand up against the problems of poor legal representation in the United States especially to those facing the penalty of death. We urge you, Governor Perry, to use your power of reprieve to stop the execution of Mr. Edward Green III.