The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has issued a stay of Rodney Reed’s execution, reports the Huffington Polst.
The decision came hours after the Texas Board of Pardons and Parole asked Republican Gov. Greg Abbott for a 120-day delay to his execution in response to a clemency application from Reed, whose lawyers says there is new evidence that could exonerate him. The Innocence Project, which is providing Reed’s legal counsel and continued to seek clemency for him, celebrated the development in his case.
The court cited concealed information, false testimony and possible innocence in its last-minute decision to stay Reed’s death sentence, which has captured national attention in recent weeks with the help of vigils, protests and celebrities speaking out against his execution. The development outweighs the parole board’s recommendation, removing Abbott from the equation.
