Texas death row inmate Andre Thomas’ attorneys apply for clemency, citing mental illness

[Draggingtree]

Texas death row inmate Andre Thomas’ attorneys apply for clemency, citing mental illness

At issue is whether Thomas, who gouged out his eyes after confessing to the 2004 murders of his estranged wife, their son and her daughter, is competent to be executed in April.

BY STEPHEN SIMPSON FEB. 15, 202320 HOURS AGO

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Editor’s note: This story contains graphic content.

A clemency petition for death row inmate Andre Thomas was filed Wednesday asking that Gov. Greg Abbott and the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles commute the blind 39-year-old’s sentence to life in prison or grant a reprieve to determine if Thomas is competent to be executed this year.

Attached to the clemency petition were letters of support from dozens of Texas mental health professionals and more than 100 Texas faith leaders. Thomas, who first began experiencing hallucinations as a child, is facing an April 5 execution date.

“We are united in our conviction that it would be a senseless act of vengeance,” Rev. Dr. Jaime Kowlessar, senior pastor of Dallas City Temple, said during a news conference Wednesday. “The answer to violence is never more violence.”

Since his initial arrest in 2004 for the stabbing deaths of his estranged wife, Laura Boren, 20; their 4-year-old son, Andre Jr.; and her 1-year-old daughter, Leyha Hughes, Thomas has gouged out both his eyes. https://www.texastribune.org/2023/02/15/texas-death-row-andre-thomas/?utm_source=articleshare&utm_medium=social

[Valin]

On 2/16/2023 at 3:12 PM, Draggingtree said:

“We are united in our conviction that it would be a senseless act of vengeance,” Rev. Dr. Jaime Kowlessar, senior pastor of Dallas City Temple, said during a news conference Wednesday. “The answer to violence is never more violence.”

 He has an undergraduate degree in theology from Atlantic Union College, a Masters of Divinity from Andrews University, a Doctorate of Ministry degree from the United Theological Seminary, and is currently working on his Ph.D. in Public Policy and Social Change.

 

SIGH

[Draggingtree]

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