Texas Messes With Liberty – Update

Yesterday, I wrote about Rick Perry’s involvement in the cover-up of the execution of an innocent man. 

In order to divert attention from the actual facts of the case, Perry responded yesterday.  According to the Tribune:

Gov. Rick Perry, seeking to defuse an election-season controversy over the 2004 execution of Cameron Todd Willingham, described Willingham on Wednesday as a “monster” and “bad man” whose conviction in the deaths of his three daughters was sustained “every step of the way” by the courts.

Perry lectured reporters for being preoccupied with “all these sideshows” instead of looking at the facts that led to Willingham’s conviction. He challenged journalists to “go back and look at the record here because this is a bad man.”

Perry described Willingham as “a guy who murdered his three children, who tried to beat his wife into an abortion so that she wouldn’t have those kids.”

He also suggested the media have paid too much attention to Beyler’s report, which he said is being used as “propaganda” by opponents of the death penalty.

Perry is essentially saying…”please look at the facts of the case – just not the exculpatory facts.”

I often criticize the Chicago Tribune (particularly its Editorial Page), but want to give it its due.  In an era where investigative journalism has all but disappeared, the Tribune has been on point with this story.

It’s pretty clear Perry is attempting to cover up the execution of an innocent man. Perry is soulless. He offers no proof of Willingham’s guilt, just that he was a “bad guy.” (note: in extensive interviews with his Widow, she does say Willingham beat her (she beat him as well) but I’ve read no mention of the “abortion” pretext Perry so shamelessly trots out in order to pander to that segment of his constituents). Regardless, this has nothing to do with the crime for which he was executed and his Widow has said over-and-over that Willingham never laid a hand on his kids.

I wonder if Rick Perry thinks Rick Perry should be executed because Rick Perry is obviously a despicable, “bad man.”

The State of Texas executed an innocent man and Perry doesn’t give a shit.  To sign a Petition demanding Perry acknowledge Willingham’s innocence, please click here.