Larry Swearingen is on death row in Texas, even though a simple DNA test could prove his innocence. So why hasn't this testing been done?
Swearingen's requests for DNA testing have been turned down three times. But that was before the state legislature ruled in 2011 to make it easier for those convicted of crimes to have access to DNA testing when it could prove their innocence.
Swearingen's involvement in the murder of a college student in 1998 has already been questioned by forensic experts, who say the murder occurred while Swearingen was in jail for an unrelated traffic offense. And, says the Innocence Project, there's evidence from the crime scene that could settle the issue for certain.
Now that Texas has amended its law, there's no reason it should put a possibly innocent man to death. With this execution scheduled for February 27, there's no more time to waste.
Tell Montgomery County DA Brett Ligon to allow this DNA testing at once!
We, the undersigned, believe the state of Texas should obey its laws and allow DNA testing that can prove the innocence of any person convicted of a crime, especially one that carries the death penalty.
No one in America should be legally executed if there is any chance that person might be innocent.
Since Texas has testable evidence in Larry Swearingen's case and the means to do the testing, as well as a new law to back up that testing, we see no excuse for further delay.
We insist that District Attorney Brett Ligon arrange for this evidence to undergo competent DNA testing at once.
Thanks for your time.
