Steven La'Wayne Nelson was convicted and sentenced to death for his involvement in a tragic incident that resulted in the loss of a life. However, the circumstances surrounding this case reveal a profound injustice that cannot be overlooked.

• See Steven's official web site here.
• Steven's Spiritual Advisor, Rev. Dr. Jeff Hood, Blogs about the case here.

Case Background

On the day of the incident, Steven, along with two other people, were involved in a robbery at a church, which tragically ended in the loss of a life. Steven’s role was that of a lookout, a position that inherently carries less culpability than the actions of those who directly caused harm. He has consistently maintained that he was outside the church when the victims were injured, yet the two other individuals involved were never prosecuted.

Despite the clear disparity in involvement, he was the only individual convicted in this case and the only one to receive the death penalty. This raises serious questions about the fairness of his trial and sentencing. This situation highlights a grave injustice that undermines the very foundation of our legal system, which is meant to ensure that punishment is proportional to the crime committed.

Arguments Against the Death Penalty in Steven’s Case

• Disproportionate Punishment - Steven’s actions do not warrant a death sentence. As a lookout, he did not commit murder, nor did he have any intent to harm anyone. It is fundamentally unjust to equate his actions with those of his co-defendants, who directly caused the death of Clinton Dobson.
• Lack of Knowledge - At the time of entering the church, Steven was unaware that a murder had occurred. This critical fact must be taken into account when determining his culpability. Holding him accountable for a crime he did not commit is a violation of basic principles of justice.
• Arbitrary Application of Justice - The fact that Steven is the only one convicted and sentenced to death raises serious concerns about the arbitrary application of the death penalty in this case. Such a disparity undermines public confidence in the justice system.
• Rehabilitation Potential - Steven has great potential for rehabilitation and has been positively contributing to society. He keeps showing love and compassion to his wife, friends and whoever has the chance to cross his path, demonstrating numerous times that he has grown as a person.
• Steven deeply regrets his involvement in the robbery and has taken multiple opportunities to atone for his past actions.

The death penalty would eliminate any possibility for further growth and change, denying Steven the chance to continue his positive contributions to the world and make amends for his mistakes.

We urge Governor Abbott, Texas State Legislators, and all relevant authorities to review Steven’s case thoroughly. His death sentence represents not only a personal tragedy but a failure of the system to fully investigate the individuals involved. It doesn't serve anybody’s interests to have an incomplete investigation. Justice should not be a one-size-fits-all approach; it must consider the nuances of each individual case