Edward Busby Jr., 53, has a execution date set in Texas on May 14, 2026, for the 2004 murder of Laura Crane. He previously received a stay of an execution date in 2021 to pursue his claims of intellectual disability, but Texas has now moved forward with trying to kill him.

Of note, the most recent litigation around this case has focused not on whether his claim of intellectual disability has merit, but whether he raised that claim in time. It's about the calendar, and did we cross all of the t's and dot all of the I's, and not whether this execution is unconstitutional on its merits.  

As to the merits of the case: The prosecution and defense experts agree that Edward Busby meets the criteria necessary to be ineligible for execution due to his intellectual disability. Read the clemency petition and see supporting exhibits here.

Also noteworthy, Laura Crane. the victim in the case, was apparently picked at random in a grocery store parking lot as a kidnapping victim with a motive of robbery. She was found asphyxiated with her mouth taped in her wrecked car in Oklahoma. Laura Crane's death was awful and must be accounted for. That said, she was an educator with a focus on helping people with learning disabilities. Would she have wanted this execution?  

Join the Virtual Sit In

Call Gov. Abbott at 512-463-2000 with the following message:

"Hi. My name is [your name]. I am calling to urge Gov. Abbott follows the teachings of his faith and intervene to stop the execution of  Edward Busby on May 14, 2026. There is no doubt that the crime committed by Mr. Busby was horrendous, however, the facts of his intellectual disabilities have never been evaluated on their merits. Further, government should not be mirroring the violence it claims to want to stop. Thank you."

REGISTER FOR THE 5/14 VIRTUAL VIGIL BEGINNING AT 5PM CT.

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.

If this execution goes forward, it will be the 600th execution in the State of Texas since 1982.

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_pio@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.