Stop the Execution of Jamaal Howard in Texas

Governor Greg Abbott & Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles

Jamaal Howard has been given an execution date in Texas for October 7, 2026. He was convicted for the 2003 murder of Vickie Swartout.

From the Execution Intervention Project:

Texas is preparing to kill a man who does not understand why he is being killed.

Jamaal Howard, 46, has been diagnosed with chronic schizophrenia by every doctor who has examined him for a quarter of a century — much of that documentation generated by the Texas prison system itself. Court-appointed experts placed his intellectual functioning in the 65-to-70 range. He is an adult with an intellectual disability. It has been ruled unconstitutional to execute people with intellectual disabilities.  

He was shot in the head at 17, three years before his crime. He has been maintained on the maximum allowable dose of antipsychotic medication for decades. He recently told a penpal that he is being executed because the victim reached out and accidentally caught one of his bullets out of the air. He passes his days on death row with children’s coloring books — Sonic the Hedgehog, Mario — because the lines on those pages are the one world that holds still for him.

The Constitution forbids executing a person who cannot rationally understand the reason for his execution. Yet in 26 years, no court — state or federal — has ever held a hearing on the condition of Jamaal Howard’s mind. Under Article 46.05 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, September 17 is the deadline for meaningful competency proceedings. After that, the door closes.

Learn more here: jamaalhoward.org

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 to intervene to stop the execution of Jamaal Howard on October 7, 2026. Jamaal is a man with an intellectual disability and schizophrenia. His complex disabilities have not been taken info consideration regarding his sentence. It is obvious that his complex neurological disabilities affect his understanding of the weight of his actions and what the State of Texas plans to do to him. If ever there were a case worthy of reprieve, it would be this one. Thank you."

If the execution proceeds, we invite you to join us for our virtual vigil that begins 5pm CT on October 7.

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_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.

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Death Penalty Action

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

We are writing to ask that you to stop the October 7, 2026 execution of Jamaal Howard​, who​ was convicted in Texas for the 2003 murder of Vickie Swartout.

Jamaal Howard, 46, has been diagnosed with chronic schizophrenia by every doctor who has examined him for a quarter of a century — much of that documentation generated by the Texas prison system itself. Jamaal is a man with an intellectual disability and schizophrenia. His complex disabilities have not been taken info consideration regarding his sentence. It is obvious that his complex neurological disabilities affect his understanding of the weight of his actions and what the State of Texas plans to do to him.

He was shot in the head at 17, three years before his crime. He has been maintained on the maximum allowable dose of antipsychotic medication for decades. He recently told a penpal that he is being executed because the victim reached out and accidentally caught one of his bullets out of the air. He passes his days on death row with children’s coloring books — Sonic the Hedgehog, Mario — because the lines on those pages are the one world that holds still for him.

The Constitution forbids executing a person who cannot rationally understand the reason for his execution. Yet in 26 years, no court — state or federal — has ever held a hearing on the condition of Jamaal Howard’s mind.

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.

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 your time and attention to this urgent and serious matter.