More death to ensue.

posted by The Vidiot @ 9:17 AM Permalink

OK, let's recap: Alberto Gonzales worked for GW when GW was Governor of Texas. His job was to write one-page summaries of capitol cases so the GW didn't have to actually review each and every death row case that crossed his desk with any depth. Obviously, since GW never commuted any death sentences, one can safely assume the one-pagers never made a very good case to reverse any sentences.

Excerpt: Instead, Bush seems to have relied on Gonzales's summaries, and they clearly indicate that Gonzales continuously sided with the prosecutors. One third of his summary of Terry Washington's case is devoted to a detailed description of the gruesome aspects of the crime, while he fails to mention Washington's mental limitations and his miserably ineffective defense lawyer. In response to Berlow's direct question, Gonzales admitted that his conferences with Bush on these cases typically lasted no more than thirty minutes. Berlow confirmed this for himself when he looked at Bush's appointment calendar for the morning of Washington's execution and saw a half-hour slot marked "Al G—Execution."

So, now, knowing that history (as well as his part in setting up legal groundwork for detainees and torture), how do you think these death penalty cases will be handled?

Excerpt: In yesterday's Seattle Times, Additions slipped into Patriot Act looks at one of the Republican objective in the Patriot Act that has nothing to do with terrorism. This one expands the reach of a presidential appointee in the U. S. justice concerning some death penalty cases. Effectively, removing judgment from federal judges and giving it to Alberto Gonzales!

Indeed.