NCADP - The National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty

Donell Jackson, November 1, 2006, TX

Do Not Execute Donell Jackson!

November 1, 2006, TX

Donell Jackson, a black man, is scheduled to be executed by the state of Texas on Nov. 1. On Aug. 31, 1993, two men approached and murdered Mario Stubblefield, a man who was due to testify before a grand jury against David Smith, a friend of Jackson’s. A witness later identified Jackson as the man who killed Stubblefield. Prior to the trial, a question existed of whether or not Smith paid Jackson to kill Stubblefield, but Jackson testified at the trial that he was not paid.

While Jackson testified that he killed Stubblefield, several mitigating factors exist. Jackson had a record of juvenile delinquency, and he ultimately dropped out of school due to excessive absences. Two experts testified during the sentencing phase of the trial that Jackson has a learning disability, which may contribute to his lack of education. Furthermore, all of Jackson’s appeals have been denied, including a request for a state-funded polygraph test.

Although Jackson admitted to killing Stubblefield, he testified that he did not go to Stubblefield with the intent of killing him. Furthermore, Jackson’s lack of education and learning disabilities may have inhibited his decision-making process. While Jackson must be punished for his role in the murder of Mario Stubblefield, he does not deserve the death penalty.

Please send appeals to Gov. Rick Perry on behalf of Donell Jackson!

February 09, 2010

Subject:

I wish to appeal to you on behalf of DONELL JACKSON, who is due to be executed on November 1, 2006. My sympathies go out to the family and loved ones of Mario Stubblefield, and I agree this was a very tragic event that cannot go unpunished. However, ending the life of the person who has been convicted is never a solution to the problem of crime facing our society—particularly when there is no strong evidence that DONELL JACKSON was linked to this crime. While Jackson testified that he killed Stubblefield, several mitigating factors exist. Jackson had a record of juvenile delinquency, and he ultimately dropped out of school due to excessive absence. Two experts testified during the sentencing phase of the trial that Jackson has a learning disability, which may contribute to his lack of education. Furthermore, Jackson requested All of Jackson’s appeals have been denied, including a request for a state-funded polygraph test. Although Jackson admitted to killing Stubblefield, he testified that he did not go to Stubblefield with the intent of killing him. Furthermore, Jackson’s lack of education and learning disabilities may have inhibited his decision making process. While Jackson must be punished for his role in the murder of Mario Stubblefield, he does not deserve the death penalty. The death penalty demonstrates the racial and economic disparity present in this country's criminal justice system, and executing DONELL JACKSON would only perpetuate this injustice. Thank you for your time and consideration in this important and urgent matter.
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