NCADP - The National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty

Willie Shannon, November 8, 2006, TX

Do Not Execute Willie Shannon!

November 8, 2006, TX

In November 1993, Willie Shannon, a 20-year-old black man, was sentenced to death for the July 19, 1992 murder of Benjamin Garza. According to the key witness, an 11-year-old boy, Garza was sitting in a station wagon when Shannon approached him. Shannon demanded the car, and the two began arguing. Three shots were fired, one of which hit Garza in the head, killing him.

Shannon maintains that he did not intend to kill Garza. When they began fighting, the gun accidentally went off. This is consistent with the testimony of the witness, who also said the gun went off, instead of implicating that Shannon shot Garza. Furthermore, Shannon’s counsel proved ineffective counsel more than once in the court proceedings. One lawyer gave him no forewarning that he was dropping the case, while his trial lawyers called no witnesses to Shannon’s defense, even though the prosecutors included an extraneous rape accusation in their case against him. Neither lawyer filed motions that would have qualified Shannon for a lesser sentence.

Although Shannon was present for the death of Benjamin Garza, he did not intend to kill him. Furthermore, his ineffective court appointed lawyers failed him on several levels. Thus, this case proves that the death penalty is given to those who cannot afford a private lawyer. Had Shannon’s counsel defended him or petitioned the courts for a lesser sentence, he would not be on death row today.

Please send appeals to Gov. Rick Perry on behalf of Willie Shannon!

February 09, 2010

Subject:

I wish to appeal to you on behalf of WILLIE SHANNON, who is due to be executed on November 8, 2006. My sympathies go out to the family and loved ones of Benjamin Garza, and I agree this was a very tragic event that cannot go unpunished. However, execution is not the correct punishment for WILLIE SHANNON. Shannon maintains that he did not intend to kill Garza. When they began fighting, the gun accidentally went off. This is consistent with the testimony of the witness, who also said the gun went off, instead of implicating that Shannon shot Garza. Furthermore, Shannon’s counsel proved ineffective counsel more than once in the court proceedings. One lawyer gave him no forewarning that he was dropping the case, while his trial lawyers called no witnesses to Shannon’s defense, even though the prosecutors included an extraneous rape accusation in their case against him. Neither lawyer filed motions that would have qualified Shannon for a lesser sentence. Although Shannon was present for the death of Benjamin Garza, he did not intend to kill him. Furthermore, his ineffective court appointed lawyers failed him on several levels. Thus, this case proves that the death penalty is given to those who cannot afford a private lawyer. Had Shannon’s counsel defended him or petitioned the courts for a lesser sentence, he would not be on death row today. Capital punishment sends people to death row even if they have not had adequate representation, and this is a violation of the rights guaranteed to every American. WILLIE SHANNON was denied justice. Thank you for your time and consideration in this important and urgent matter.
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