TX Gov. Greg Abbott and TX Board of Pardons- Stop the Execution of Abel Ochoa

TX GOV. GREG ABBOTT, TX BOARD OF PARDONS

Texas has set an execution date of February 6th, 2020 for Abel Ochoa, who was convicted in the 2002 murder of Cecelia Ochoa, Crystal Ochoa, Ana Ochoa, Bartolo Alivizo, and Jacqueline Saleh. More information about this case is here.

UPDATE 2/5/2020

We delivered petitions signed before 10am on 2/5/2020 to the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles and we will make another delivery to Governor Abbott tomorrow (Thursday, 2/6/2020) after 12pm CST. Please continue to sign and also, please call Governor Abbott's office at 512-463-2000 to urge him to stop this execution.

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. 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 choose to indicate that he wants them to take these cases more seriously. Abel Ochoa has been remorseful for his crimes and has not been a problematic prisoner while on death row.

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.

Please sign the petition asking Governor Abbott and the Texas Board of Pardons to do everything within their power to stop this execution, including issuing a stay, and seeking a path to clemency in the case.

Petition by
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Toledo, Ohio
Sponsored by

To: TX GOV. GREG ABBOTT, TX BOARD OF PARDONS
From: Scott Langley

We are writing to ask that you stop the February 6th execution of Abel Ochoa, who was convicted in the 2002 murder of Cecelia Ochoa, Crystal Ochoa, Ana Ochoa, Bartolo Alivizo, and Jacqueline Saleh .

We are concerned that while the vast majority of states with capital punishment continue on a downward trend of executions, Texas has continued to go against trend by carrying on an aggressive execution schedule. If the execution of Ochoa is carried out, this will be the state’s 11th execution in less than 12 months. Texas' execution schedule goes against the national trend as more states are abandoning the death penalty in law or practice, whereas Texas is now only 1 of about 8 states that actively uses the death penalty.

We, the undersigned, ask that you do everything within your power to stop this execution, including issuing a stay, and seeking a path to clemency in the case.