UPDATE: This execution was stayed on May 7th, 2020 on the merits of Mays' claim of intellectual disability. He case was remanded to the courts for further action.

//////////////////////////////

Randall Mays had been scheduled for execution in Texas on May 13 for the 2007 murder of Tony Price Ogburn, a sheriff's deputy responding to a domestic disturbance call. Additionally, deputy Paul Steven Habelt was also killed and a third deputy was injured.

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 2019, Texas accounted for 9 of the nation's 22 executions, and in 2020 is expected to account for half of all executions, if not more.

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 at 12:00 pm noon Eastern Time on May 11th.

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.