Duane Buck, Black Man Set to Be Executed in TX, Asks GOP Presidential Hopeful Rick Perry to Halt Proceeding

GOP presidential hopeful Gov. Rick Perry (R-TX) is being watched very closely on how he will handle the request of Duane Buck, a black man scheduled to be executed, whose lawyers said race played a significant role in his sentencing.

Perry's ally, former Texas Attorney General John Cornyn, who is now a Republican senator, reviewed Duane Buck's case and five others, and recommended that Buck's case needed to be re-opened because of the racially charged statements made during the sentencing phase. According to ABC News, psychologist Walter Quijano, told jurors that black criminals were more likely to pose a future danger to the public if they are released.

Perry signed off on the executions of 235 convicted killers in Texas in his 11 years in office. The real question we should all be asking is what percentage of those prisoners were black, Latino, white and other. His office has only halted four. Why do I bring this up? He said he sleeps well at night knowing that everyone who has been executed under his watch was justifiable beyond the shadow of doubt. How he proceeds with the request from Duane Buck's lawyers, particularly after Sen. Cornyn had recommended the case be opened will either help his presidential aspirations or torpedo any chances he has at being the Republican nominee to face President Obama.

Duane Buck was given the death penalty after he was convicted of fatally shooting his ex-girlfriend Debra Gardner, 32, and Kenneth Butler, 33, July 30, 1995, after he broke up with her. His lawyers are seeking a new sentencing hearing because they allege the jury was unfairly influenced. The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles, all Perry appointees, denied Buck's request for clemency Wednesday and the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals also denied his appeal. It could come down to Rick Perry if the courts continue to deny his appeals.

UPDATE#1: The U.S. Supreme Court has delayed the scheduled execution of Duane Buck amid questions due to the statements made by psychologist Walter Quijano, who testified that blacks and Hispanics were more likely to commit future crimes. The court wants to review how lower courts handled the case. There may be hope for Troy Davis, the Georgia man set to be executed next Wednesday on death row for the murder of a Savannah police officer.