The State of Texas is preparing to execute convicted killer Jamaal Howard Wednesday evening, but the execution remains on hold pending action by the U.S. Supreme Court
Word could come from Washington, D.C. at any moment.
Howard, 46, was convicted of capital murder in the May 2000 shooting death of 42-year-old Vickie Swartout, a convenience store clerk in Silsbee.
The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals rejected a request Wednesday evening from Howard’s attorneys to stop the execution, following last week’s failed lethal injection of Christa Pike in Tennessee.
Howard’s attorneys hope the U.S. Supreme Court will halt his execution.
According to the Associated Press, Howard’s attorneys have
According to the Associated Press, Howard’s attorneys have argued before the nation’s highest court that their client should not be executed because he is intellectually disabled. The state maintains that his attorneys have not presented sufficient evidence to support that claim.
Texas will proceed only if the Supreme Court denies Howard’s request.
Failed Tennessee execution raises concerns
Howard’s attorneys also raised concerns about Texas using pentobarbital, the same drug administered during Tennessee’s unsuccessful attempt to execute Christa Pike on September 30.
Pike, 50, survived two doses of the drug. Her attorneys said she was initially unconscious and hospitalized following the failed execution but was awake and speaking by Tuesday.
Howard’s attorneys questioned the quality of Texas’ execution
Howard’s attorneys questioned the quality of Texas’ execution drugs and sought information about the pentobarbital the state planned to administer.
“Texas should not be eager to follow in Tennessee’s footsteps; a stay would keep that from happening,” Howard’s attorneys argued in a court filing, according to the AP.
The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals denied an earlier request for a stay without explanation.
Howard described as ‘chatty’ ahead of execution
Howard was transported Wednesday morning from the Polunsky
Howard was transported Wednesday morning from the Polunsky Unit in Livingston, where Texas houses male death row inmates, to the Huntsville Unit, commonly known as the “Walls Unit.”
Amanda Hernandez, a spokesperson for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, described Howard as “chatty” during the approximately 45-mile drive.
“He made small talk with the officers through the whole trip,” Hernandez told the Associated Press.
Howard reportedly remained talkative after arriving at the Huntsville Unit.
“He was asking questions and was very engaged in the process,” Hernandez said.
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice also released
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice also released a “Death Watch” log documenting Howard’s activities ahead of the scheduled execution.
8:15 a.m.: Talking with visitor
10:15 a.m.: Talking with visitor
11:30 a.m.: Talking with visitor
Murder caught on surveillance camera
Howard was 20 years old when he murdered Swartout during a robbery at a Chevron convenience store in Silsbee.
The shooting was captured on the store’s surveillance camera.
Howard shot Swartout once in the chest before stealing $114 and a carton of cigarettes, according to court records.
Swartout’s family members are expected to witness the execution Wednesday evening.
KFDM anchor Aaron Drawhorn is also
KFDM anchor Aaron Drawhorn is also at the Huntsville Unit as a designated media eyewitness to the execution.
Howard’s execution would be the first in the United States since Tennessee’s failed attempt to execute Pike last week.
KFDM will continue following developments from Huntsville as the state awaits action from the U.S. Supreme Court.
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