On the Oct. 17, 2024 Temporary Stay of Execution for Robert Roberson, Granted by the Texas Supreme Court
Oct. 18, 2024
Press Statement
By Krisanne Vaillancourt Murphy, Executive Director of Catholic Mobilizing Network
On the Oct. 17, 2024 Temporary Stay of Execution for Robert Roberson, Granted by the Texas Supreme Court
Praise God for Robert Roberson’s reprieve and the bipartisan, courageous leadership of the Texas legislators who took action that led to this temporary stay of execution. Robert Roberson lives to fight another day and will have his day before the Texas legislature.
I am grateful to the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops and for the hundreds of thousands of advocates across the country who wrote letters to both Gov. Abbott and the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles on Mr. Roberson’s behalf. We will continue to stand with him and his legal team as they do their righteous work.
As Catholics, we know that every life is sacred. Catholic teaching on the ‘inadmissibility in all cases’ of capital punishment is crystal clear — no exclusions or exceptions. We will continue to educate, advocate and pray that soon, every state — including the state of Texas — will be free of the scourge of capital punishment. We know there will be many challenges ahead. But today, in the case of Mr. Roberson, I see a glimmer of light deep in the heart of the Texas legislature, where bold, creative and courageous steps were taken to save a life and protect human dignity. We are witnessing that minds and hearts can be changed. Political leaders can act quickly and take measures to do the right thing. Let us be heartened by this hopeful sign as we carry on in our work to abolish the death penalty.
It is not lost on us that Mr. Roberson’s was not the only execution scheduled yesterday. In the midst of his legal battle, the state of Alabama took the life of Derrick Dearman in an execution that went far less noticed. Sadly, Mr. Dearman, battling life-long mental illness, gave up appeals in his case and was executed by lethal injection. As we celebrate the relief that saved Mr. Roberson’s life last night, we lament the death of Mr. Dearman, and pray for the healing of those who continue to mourn the loss of their loved ones, taken by his act of violence. Catholic Mobilizing Network will continue our work to realize a vision of justice that seeks healing and wholeness for each and every person.
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Headquartered in Washington, D.C., Catholic Mobilizing Network is a national organization that mobilizes Catholics and people of goodwill to end the death penalty, advance justice solutions in alignment with Catholic values and promote healing through restorative justice approaches and practices. For more information and to join the movement, visit catholicsmobilizing.org.