Execution of Gary Green in Texas
Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles & Governor Greg Abbott
Gary Green is scheduled for execution in Texas on March 7, 2023 for the 2009 murders of Lovetta Armstead and Jazzmen Montgomery.
Like many of the individuals condemned to die in our country, Gary Green is said to have faced severe abuse at the hands of his father and grew up witnessing his mother face the same. He also comes from a family with a history of mental health issues and has, himself, exhibited signs of paranoia and mental illness. Gary has attempted suicide at least once, thinking people were out to "get him". He has also claimed to hear demons and believed that vampires were following him.
In 2009, he checked himself into a mental hospital where he was diagnosed with major depressive disorder, and two days later was diagnosed with bipolar disorder by a separate doctor. A month later, his estranged wife, Lovetta Armstead, wrote Gary a note indicating that she was working on having their marriage annulled. Gary responded with a note of his own, expressing rage, believing that Lovetta and her children were "plotting" against him. Green went to their home and fatally stabbed Lovetta, then he drowned her daughter in the bathtub. Fortunately, the Lovetta's sons were let go. Green, once again, attempted suicide, however, when he was unsuccessful, he proceeded to turn himself into the police.
Gary Green had a history of extreme violence towards his partners, having stabbed and strangled two other girlfriends to the point of unconsciousness before Lovetta.
You can read more at The Forgiveness Foundation.
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.
Sponsored by
To:
Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles & Governor Greg Abbott
From:
[Your Name]
We are writing to ask that you to stop the March 7, 2023 execution of Gary Green for the 2009 murders of Lovetta Armstead and Jazzmen Montgomery.
We are concerned that while the vast majority of states with capital punishment continue on a downward trend of executions, Texas has continued to go against trend by carrying on an aggressive execution schedule - targeting the poor, the mentally ill and people of color.
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.