Stop the Execution of Anibal Canales, Jr. in Texas

Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles & Governor Greg Abbott

Anibal Canales, Jr.'s scheduled execution in Texas on March 29, 2023 is POSTPONED pending further legal proceedings (as of March 16, 2023). Canales is condemned for the 1997 murder of Gary Dickerson. He has always maintained his innocence.

BACKGROUND:
Anibal was incarcerated at the Telford Unit in New Boston, TX when Gary Dickerson was found dead in his cell by his cellmate. Despite being caught with "dangerous contraband", Dickerson on numerous occasions requested protective custody from the prison prior to his murder, knowing that the contraband could put him in trouble with the gangs at the prison. Anibal Canales and William Spear were convicted of the murder.

Anibal acknowledges that he, at the time of the murder, was a member of the Texas Mafia, but insists that he had no role in this murder. The entire night of the murder, not a single TDCJ officer saw Anibal anywhere near the scene where the murder took place, an entirely different pod where Anibal was being housed on Cell Restriction.

The primary evidence against Anibal is jailhouse snitch testimony, and evidence exists to suggest that other prisoners received favorable treatment in exchange for their testimony against Anibal. Evidence also exists suggesting that anti-semitism was used to encourage said testimony.

Visit the Death Row Soul Collective to read further about Anibal's case.


Texas' aggressive execution schedule marks it as an outlier in its use of the death penalty while the majority of other states are on a downward trend of executions. In the last few years, Texas has been one of only a handful of states that have carried out death sentences - and it continues to do so targeting the poor, the mentally ill and people of color.

Please sign the petition asking Governor Abbott and the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles to do everything within their power to stop this execution, including issuing a stay, and seeking a path to clemency in the case.

Additionally, you may reach out now to the Board at bpp_clemency@tdcj.texas.gov and the Governor at https://gov.texas.gov/contact/ and (512) 463-1782. You can simply leave a voice message, or choose to speak to a representative if you prefer.

Please note: In Texas, the Governor does have limited power when it comes to the death penalty. But the story we are told that "it's out of the governor's hands," is only true if we allow it to be. Yes, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles must recommend clemency in that state in order for the Governor to grant clemency (mercy) by commuting a death sentence. But the fact is that the governor appoints the members of the Board of Pardons and Paroles. He can choose to appoint members who will take valid claims and concerns more seriously, instead of acting like rubber-stamping gate-keepers. He can still use his position of power and influence to enact justice in the State of Texas.  

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To: Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles & Governor Greg Abbott
From: [Your Name]

We are writing to ask that you to stop the March 29, 2023 execution of Anibal Canales, Jr. for the 1997 murder of Gary Dickerson.

There is no physical evidence against Anibal. Corrections workers testified that he was nowhere near the scene of the crime, and there is evidence that anti-semitism was used to encourage other prisoners to lie in order to help convict him.

We, the undersigned, ask that you do everything within your power to stop this execution, including issuing a stay, and seeking a path to clemency in the case.

Thank you for time and attention to this urgent and serious matter.