Rick Rhoades is scheduled for execution in Texas on September 28, 2021 for the 1991 murders of Charles Allen and Bradley Allen.

Additional information on this case is here.

Operative petition language is below.

BACKGROUND:

NUTSHELL: During his 1992 trial, the State elicited testimony that is now known to be false. Also, prosecutors may have removed two potential jurors because of their race, which is expressly prohibited by the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1986 opinion in Batson v. Kentucky. These matters are raised in Rhoades'  clemency petition.

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 state executions, and in 2020 Texas was just one of two states that carried out an execution during the COVID 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 or a reprieve, and seeking a path to clemency in the case.

Petitions will be delivered on your behalf prior to the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles meeting (Sept 23) and if the execution is not yet halted, we'll update and add to that delivery on September 27th.

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.