Rodney Reed: Death Row. Texas. State Senator Kirk Watson has joined the growing effort to stop Rodney Reed’s execution set for November 20, KVUE (Reporter Shawna M. Reding) reports..."In Watson's letter to the governor, he wrote in part, "We will not serve justice or increase the public's faith in our legal institutions by taking the irrevocable step of executing Reed when significant and credible evidence pointing to his innocence has not undergone a thorough, unbiased review." Watson, who said he rarely comments or intervenes in criminal cases, said this murder, which happened in his district, "is unique because of the grave doubt and racial bias that continue to taint Reed's conviction." (Link to full letter provided);

STORY: "Sen. Kirk Watson joins growing effort to stop Rodney Reed’s execution," by reporter Shawna M. Reding, published by KVUE on October 24, 2019.

SUB-HEADING: "He wrote a letter to the governor, asking for a stay of execution."

GIST: "A state senator is joining the growing effort to try and stop the execution of a Bastrop, Texas, man. Austin Democrat Kirk Watson sent a letter to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott Oct. 23, asking for a stay of execution for Rodney Reed. Reed is set to be executed on Nov. 20 for the 1996 murder of Stacey Stites. His supporters have been pushing for delays under the belief that DNA evidence that was never tested could exonerate him. In Watson's letter to the governor, he wrote in part, "We will not serve justice or increase the public's faith in our legal institutions by taking the irrevocable step of executing Reed when significant and credible evidence pointing to his innocence has not undergone a thorough, unbiased review." Watson, who said he rarely comments or intervenes in criminal cases, said this murder, which happened in his district, "is unique because of the grave doubt and racial bias that continue to taint Reed's conviction." Read the full letter Watson penned to Abbott. Earlier this week, attorneys for Reed sent a new letter to the governor to ask for a delay. Doctor Phil featured his case on two episodes earlier this month, casting doubt on his conviction. Reality star Kim Kardashian West tweeted at Gov. Abbott on Saturday, asking him to "do the right thing." "How can you execute a man when since his trial, substantial evidence that would exonerate Rodney Reed has come forward and even implicates the other person of interest," she tweeted."

The entire story can be read at:
https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/rodney-reed-bastrop-texas-death-row-reprieve-senator-kirk-watson/269-84dd8430-11c4-4f1d-af26-929769ba4f92

PUBLISHER'S NOTE: I am monitoring this case/issue. Keep your eye on the Charles Smith Blog for reports on developments. The Toronto Star, my previous employer for more than twenty incredible years, has put considerable effort into exposing the harm caused by Dr. Charles Smith and his protectors - and into pushing for reform of Ontario's forensic pediatric pathology system. The Star has a "topic"  section which focuses on recent stories related to Dr. Charles Smith. It can be found at: http://www.thestar.com/topic/charlessmith. Information on "The Charles Smith Blog Award"- and its nomination process - can be found at: http://smithforensic.blogspot.com/2011/05/charles-smith-blog-award-nominations.html Please send any comments or information on other cases and issues of interest to the readers of this blog to: hlevy15@gmail.com.  Harold Levy: Publisher: The Charles Smith Blog;