Gov. Perry Commutes Kenneth Foster's Sentence

As Kenneth Foster was facing execution tonight (and as his execution finally started receiving national media coverage), Governor Perry accepted the recommendation of the Board of Pardons and Paroles and this afternoon commuted Foster's death sentence to one of life imprisonment. Kenneth Foster had been put on death row for his involvement in a murder in San Antonio over ten years ago: he drove the car the murderer was in, and received the same sentence as the murderer.

Perry says that "the right and just decision is to commute Foster's sentence from the death penalty to life imprisonment."

[News 8 Austin]
[Free Kenneth Foster]

Family photos from Free Kenneth Foster site

Contact the author of this article or email tips@austinist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Elizabeth S. in News on August 30, 2007 1:56 PM 0 Comments

Comments [rss]

guest

Yeah, but the board already knows Perry's stance. And they'll know ahead of time if he's going to deviate from standard. They're not the ones in cells, they interact with government and the press. And, they probably won't offer recommendations they know will be shot down (at least not very often) becasue they'll just look ridiculous, powerless and (I don't know how this part works) could possibly get replaced. I think they knew he'd make the right choice because of the media and other heat. So let's not laud government for the single occasion they don't answer a murder with another one, and just be content that our hands are only mainly blood-stained.

guest

all previous commentators should note:

Unlike some states, The governor of texas can not legally do anything to the fate of a prisoner to be executed without the recommendation of the board of pardon and paroles. The board did not recommend this until this morning, and Perry commuted the sentence approx. 1 hour later.

Thank you texas government class, for being of some mild usage...

kenneth1

Maybe the ghost of Lady Bird came to Rick in a dream. Or could it be the ghost of Christmas future? Regardless, I'm not going to dis the guv today. He did the right thing for once.

guest

I like him for the Katrina help. And the hair. Can't foget the hair. Don't like him for all the executions. LOVE Rick for the "adios mofo."

reynard

nice. but let's not give Perry too much credit.

a) This was a major media campaign, I even heard about it on myspace.

b) Rick has executed 159 people in six years.

so don't by the guy a drink or anything.

guest

Just when you had the guy pegged, he surprises you.

He's made some really egregious moves, especially in the capital punishment area. This isn't one of them.

This is a good move and he deserves credit.

guest

Thank GOD! I knew Rick was smarter than that.

guest

the true shame of this is that it took public censure to "alter" perry's perspective.

cause it seemed like he was gonna sleep just fine regardless, no?