Edward Busby was scheduled for execution in Texas on February 10, 2021 for the 2004 murder of Laura Lee Crane. On February 3, 2021, he received a stay to allow him to pursue his claims of intellectual disability. We continue to gather signatures in the event that he may be denied relief and is again scheduled to be killed. Please continue to sign this petition.  Thank you!

Busby is asking the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles and Governor Abbott to commute his sentence or grant a 120-day reprieve based on two issues: 1.) his request for his spiritual advisor to accompany him in the execution chamber; and 2.) evidence of his intellectual disability, which should render him exempt from execution.

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 2019, Texas accounted for 9 of the nation's 22 executions, and in 2020 it was one of only two states to put anyone to death during the pandemic.

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.

Petitions will be delivered on your behalf prior to a clemency hearing before the Texas Board of Pardons and paroles, should he be denied relief and a new execution date is set.

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.