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Texas Steps Up Executions to Clear Logjam

State empties death row of 12 inmates over 6 weeks

By the Associated Press

Posted Oct 24, 2008 2:25 PM CDT

(AP) – A dozen condemned inmates in Texas's "death watch" cells are being executed at a scheduled rate of two a week through November. The executions relieve a logjam created when the US Supreme Court effectively halted lethal injections while deciding whether the method was unconstitutionally inhumane. It ruled the method constitutional, and executions resumed.

Despite the death chamber's revolving door in October and November, the state will fall below its average of 25 executions a year and its record 40 in 2000, when George W. Bush was governor. "Will crime stop? Will my death stop what's going on in everyday society?" said a convicted killer executed last week. "They're just killing people."

In line with tradition, Texas has led the nation in executions since the Supreme Court lifted a hiatus on lethal injection.
In line with tradition, Texas has led the nation in executions since the Supreme Court lifted a hiatus on lethal injection.   (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
A guards carries a shotgun as she walks the wall over the death chamber at the Texas prison unit while condemned inmate Michael Rodriguez was executed in Huntsville, Texas, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2008.
A guards carries a shotgun as she walks the wall over the death chamber at the Texas prison unit while condemned inmate Michael Rodriguez was executed in Huntsville, Texas, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2008.   (AP Photo/LM Otero)
The Texas death chamber is shown May 19, 2000, in Huntsville, Texas.
The Texas death chamber is shown May 19, 2000, in Huntsville, Texas.   (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan)
The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals stopped yesterday's execution of killer Bobby Woods after new claims surfaced that the 42-year-old is mentally retarded and legally ineligible for execution.
The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals stopped yesterday's execution of killer Bobby Woods after new claims surfaced that the 42-year-old is mentally retarded and legally ineligible for execution.   (Mike Graczyk)
Will crime stop because of his execution, Alvin Kelly asked last week before he died. He was convicted of killing a family of three, including a 22-month-old boy.
"Will crime stop" because of his execution, Alvin Kelly asked last week before he died. He was convicted of killing a family of three, including a 22-month-old boy.   (AP Photo/Mike Graczyk)
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Copyright 2012 Newser, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. AP contributed to this report.

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