Kosoul Chanthakoummane has asserted that he is actually innocent since he was arrested for the murder of Sarah Walker in 2006.

First, know that Joseph Walker, the father of Sarah Walker, opposed the death penalty in this case and had reason to question whether prosecutors and police had the right suspect. Mr. Walker was not permitted to testify in the victim impact portion of the sentencing phase of Mr. Chanthakoummane’s trial. As such, we are requesting that the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles give deserved weight to Mr. Walker’s position. Mr. Walker has since died.

There are a number of reasons Texans and everyone else should be concerned about this case. The bottom line: There is too much doubt about the veracity of evidence in this case. Each of the following points are elaborated upon, with documentation, here.

• The Accused Has Always Maintained His Innocence

• Eye Witnesses Could Only Testify Following Hypnosis

• Bite Mark Evidence is Junk Science

• DNA Evidence: Where Did It Come From?

• There is Another Viable Suspect In This Case

• Does Racial Discrimination Play A Role In This Case?

Read about this case in the Texas Observer, the Austin Chronicle, and this article distributed by CNHIto multiple smaller Texas newspapers.

There simply is too much doubt in this case to allow this execution to proceed. One need not be a lawyer, academic, or forensic scientist to see that there are real questions that demand answers if the conviction of Kosoul Chanthakoummane is to stand.

Texas, like much of our nation, has a history of wrongful convictions. With a punishment so severe as the death penalty, there can be no room for error. We are not convinced that the state of Texas got it right in this case. We urge the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles to recommend clemency or a reprieve in order to allow a more thorough review of the evidence in this case.

Regarding the image above: Kosoul Chanthakoummane has spent his last 15 years on Texas’ death row channeling his energy into his original artwork. He finds much of his inspiration in his family’s own story of coming to the United States as Laotian refugees escaping the Vietnam war and current social and political events that are happening around us. See more here.

In addition to signing this petition, please contact the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles 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.