John Ramirez is scheduled for execution in Texas on October 5, 2022 for the 2004 murder of Pablo Castro.

NOTE: This is the "laying on hands and praying out loud in the death chamber" case that halted the execution a year ago, and a very rare win in the current US Supreme Court - not on any issues related to guilt or culpability, but freedom of religion. Texas was ordered to allow for his freedom to have his Christian pastor lay hands and pray out loud in the death chamber. Also, John is an honorably discharged US Marine who was damaged by his service, which matters as well.

This is also the case in which the county prosecutor and the county sheriff oppose the execution.

SOME CASE BACKGROUND:  

Ramirez is an honorably discharged US Marine scheduled for execution for crimes committed following his military service. Read perspectives on the execution of veterans here and here.

Watch and share this short video about the case. Among those interviewed is the son of the victim in the case, who now opposes the execution.

See John Ramirez as the person he is today via this web page.

In 2021, more than three hours after he was to be killed, he was granted a stay of execution by the US Supreme Court seeking an order to allow his pastor to ritually "lay hands" on him and pray out loud in the death chamber during his execution. Read about that here. See the complaint here. Ramirez won, and now Texas has now issued a new execution warrant.

Texas's 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. Each year, Texas accounts for the vast majority of U.S. state executions, and is one of the few states that opted to continue executing prisoners 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.

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.