Alberto Gonzales:Clemency Memos
President Bush has nominated Alberto Gonzales to be the next attorney general of the United States. Gonzales served as Bush's chief legal counsel during part of Bush's tenure as Texas governor - a tenure that saw more executions take place than under any other governor in modern U.S. history.
It was Gonzales' responsibility to brief Bush on pending executions. In Texas, executive clemency is a two-pronged process. The Board of Pardons and Paroles, whose members are appointed by the governor, must recommend clemency. And the governor of Texas must accept the Board's recommendation.
Unfortunately, the record shows that Gonzales did a shoddy and incomplete job in briefing the governor. He ignored or glossed over claims of innocence, severe mental illness or mental retardation and claims of ineffective assistance of counsel. In short, he didn't do his job.
Why is this important? The attorney general is the highest law-enforcement officer in the land. He (or she) is often referred to as "the people's lawyer." This person must be trusted with making fair and just decisions. But Gonzales' slipshod record on the death penalty as former Texas Gov. George W. Bush's chief legal counsel raises serious questions about his commitment to impartiality.
NCADP has joined with 30 nationally recognized human and civil rights organizations in calling for a thorough review of Gonzales' record of protecting civil rights and civil liberties.
Letter on Gonzales Nomination
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