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Jurors Used Bible to Decide Death Sentence

Amnesty International troubled by Old Testament justice

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Oct 16, 2009 4:39 AM CDT

(Newser) – Death-row foes are complaining that a Texas jury ordered to consider only evidence presented in court consulted the Old Testament before condemning a man to death. Jurors examined highlighted passages in Bibles passed around the jury room to help them decide the fate of Khristian Oliver. The con killed a man by shooting him in the face and beating him with a rifle. One of the passages stated that a person who smites somebody with iron "shall surely be put to death."

The use of the Bible made the trial a "travesty," charged an Amnesty International official. "Religious texts provide consolation and spiritual guidance for billions of people the world over, but this use of the Bible to decide life or death in a capital trial is deeply, deeply troubling," she told the Telegraph. The Supreme Court has refused to hear Oliver's appeal and he is due to be executed early next month.

[Images (1)]

[Quotes (1)]

Texas inmate Khristian Oliver was sentenced to death for a 1999 murder. The death penalty was chosen by a jury who used the Bible to help them reach their decision. (AP Photo)

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And if he smite him with an instrument of iron, so that he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.
- Numbers XVVV, 16

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 22 comments

texasgirlie

Mar 24, 2010 6:17 PM CDT

well im a proud TEXAN and we jsut serve deserved justice!! How would you know do you live in Texas, probably not because a true Texan wouldnt talk like that about OUR STATE!!! Why dont you SUCCEDE, im sure your state would be fine without you and your trashy mouth!!!!

yukonchuck06

Oct 19, 2009 1:22 AM CDT

well, idiots are well among us, and afterll this is TEXAS we're talking about here. You want quick, iron-handed justice? Go to Texas an kill someone. I just hope you're not black, or mexican, or poor-white trash, you'll find out real quick how much jesus loves a court-room!!!

divetrader

Oct 16, 2009 12:21 PM CDT

How is this even relevant to this article?

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Crime & Courts

death penalty • Texas • capital punishment • jury • Bible • Texas capital punishment • Old Testament

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Jurors Used Bible to Decide Death Sentence