Stop the execution of Eric L. Moore

ATTENTION DEATH PENALTY OPPONENTS!

MAY 21TH. EXECUTION DATE SET FOR TEXAS DEATH ROW INMATE ERIC L. MOORE

Texas death row inmate Eric L. Moore has been scheduled a May 21st execution date for a murder he did not commit. Hes been on death row for 12 years now, fighting for his life, jailed at the age of 23. Eric is the second out of five children, his mother died January 25th 2002 from a brain tumor as did his brother John. His parents got divorced when he was 6 years old so he grew up without a male role model. He was married once and had a little daughter. This is his first time in prison.

His father was drinking during almost his whole life and so was Eric when he took hand in a robbery that cost somebodys life. I didnt kill anyone, Eric says. He was sentenced to death just for being there. The man that did the killing got a life sentence. Since Erics case was the first to go to trial it seems to us the district attorney put everything on him to make sure he got a death sentence in this case, a proceedure not unusual in Texas.

We want criminals to get punished, but the death penalty is inhuman and violates the human rights. First and foremost, the death penalty devalues all human life, eliminating the possibility for transformation of spirit that is intrinsic to humanity. Secondly, the death penalty is fallible and irrevocable: over one hundred people have been released from death row on grounds of innocence in this modern era of capital punishment. Thirdly, the death penalty continues to be tainted with race and class bias. It is predominantly a punishment reserved for the poor (95\% of the over 3700 people under death sentence could not afford a private attorney) and for racial minorities (55\% are people of colour. Eric as well.) Finally, the death penalty is a violation of our most fundamental human right. The United States are the only western democracy that still uses the death penalty as a form of punishment.
Despite constant urging from throughout the United States and around the world for Texas to reconsider it's use of the death sentence, the state of Texas continues to account for nearly half of the nation's executions.

All crime victims and their relatives have our deep sympathy. We should never forget the pain and the sorrow they feel. But nothing - not even Moores execution - can bring back the live that was taken. We see no reason why yet another family will suffer the loss of losing a close relative, and we do not find logic in the idea that by creating yet another grieving family the needed closure is brought about.
Also, we are wondering why the family and loved ones of a murdered person arent offered any other support than to be a witness to an execution. A family that lost a dear one needs help - in many instances professional and economical help to deal with their loss. Not yet another death.

We, the undersigned reject capital punishment. We want to get a stay in Erics execution and the courts to review his case, in the hope that he too will be granted a new appeal and the possibility of commuting his death sentence into life without parole at least.

If you prefer to write directly to the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles as well to the the governor of Texas, Rick Perry, please sign this petition first and direct letters to the following addresses:

Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles
Executive Clemency Section
P.O. Box 13401, Capitol Station
Austin, Texas 78711

Phone (512) 406-5852
Fax (512) 467-0945

Please urge the Board of Pardons and Parole to recommend to the Governor an Executive Clemency for Mr. Moore as soon as possible.

Office of the Governor
P.O. Box 12428
Austin, Texas 78711

Phone: (512) 463-2000
Fax: (512) 463-1849

Urge the Governor to grant clemency with prior recommendation of the majority of the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles. The governor may issue a one-time 30-day reprieve of execution, and the governor may require the Texas Board of Pardons & Paroles to investigate.

Stop the execution of Eric L. Moore!