Presidential candidate joins protest of execution

Texas: Execution of Gregory Wright

Cynthia McKinney made history in Texas Oct. 30. Never has any politician or any candidate for public office been in Huntsville, Texas, on an execution night to join in with those protesting.

McKinney, the Green Party candidate for president of the United States, joined the ranks of protesters this evening, Oct. 30, and quietly introduced herself to the family and friends of Greg Wright, who was scheduled to be executed 45 minutes later.

As Wright's stepdaughter stood outside of the death house holding a cell phone in one hand and a framed photo of Wright in the other, McKinney approached her and asked about the photo. "How long has your family been dealing with fighting this execution? Did you ever think that your family would ever have to deal with the issue of the death penalty in such a personal way?"

McKinney listened to Misty Smith explain that they had been fighting to prove Wright's innocence for 7 or 8 years and that never did she think she and her mother would be going through this injustice.

Then McKinney was introduced to the crowd opposing Wright's execution.

The candidate told them: "I am sad to join you tonight, those of you who have a conscience and who want the U.S. to join the community of nations that respect life, rights and the administration of justice. It's one thing to feel politically, academically and intellectually opposed to the death penalty. It's quite another thing to meet the family of someone who has maintained his innocence throughout his entire ordeal and yet they find themselves on the opposite side of justice.

"Most people in this country have believed in the justice system. They believe that they would never be the victims of injustice. And yet I am here in the very place where Shaka Sankofa was murdered by the state of Texas.

"Texas is the execution capital of the country. Why is it that the state of Texas wants the world to know that killing is wrong yet it engages in killing?"

...I join with the families that are here right now and say that we must end all of this killing, including the death penalty, including the use of depleted uranium munitions...

"Misty, thank you for allowing me to be here. Thank you for helping me to understand how barbarically this country can treat people, people who believe in it still. Thank you."

Greg Wright expressed his appreciation...just hours before his execution when his spouse, Connie Wright, told him that Cynthia McKinney would be in Huntsville for the protest. ...he told Connie. "I can't believe she will be here for me."

Music that Connie Wright and Greg Wright chose for the evening played over the sound system outside of the death house as the prison clock chimed at 6:00 p.m. Then Connie and the four other witnesses to the execution walked into the death house for the 419th Texas execution, while "You are the Wind Beneath My Wings" could be heard for blocks around.
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Some 1,125 people have been executed in the U.S. since the death penalty was reinstated in the 1970s. Over 1/3 of all executions have been in Texas and over 85 % have been in the South. Texas has 13 more executions scheduled, including another likely innocent person, Eric Cathey. Over 65 % of those on death row are African-American or Latino.

(source: Workers World

Posted also on Death Penalty News & Updates ( See Rick Halperin's Link - click lower right column )

This article is not here as an endorsement yet as a testament to a caring leader and a reminder of the methods of inhumanity still used in Texas as well as in many other places. A small portion was left out that could possibly be misconstrued here as a political statement. This is posted here because it is a moving, interesting item in very recent abolition history--albeit a sad record of a tragic event.

In Brief (From the Free Greg Wright Site) :

“There’s been a lot of confusion who done this. John Adams lied. He went to the police and told them a story. I left the house, and left him there. I never sold anything to anyone. My only act or involvement was not telling on him. John Adams was the one that killed Donna Vick. The evidence proves that. … I was in the bathroom when he attacked. I am deaf in one ear and I thought the TV was up too loud. I ran into the bedroom. By the time I came in, when I tried to help her with first aid, it was too late. The veins were cut on her throat. He stabbed her in her heart, and that's what killed her. I have done everything to prove my innocence. I took a polygraph and passed. John Adams never volunteered to take one. Before you is an innocent man. I love my family. I'll be waiting on y'all. I am finished talking.” Gregory Wright, Oct. 30th, 2008

After three test charts were administered, an analysis of the polygraph charts was made, and in my professional opinion Mr Wright is being truthful in all his answers to the relevant test questions." Joe D. Morris B.S., M.A., C.P.E. Polygraph Examiner, Texas... "Is Gregory E. Wright actually and factually innocent of the murder of Donna D. Vick and never knew of any intent to harm before the crime took place?" - "Yes he’s innocent of this crime. I did it." John Wade Adams, August 11, 2008

My name is John Wade Adams #999278. I want the record clear that Greg Wright is innocent of the crime he’s here on death row for. If you kill him your (sic) killing a innocent man. Greg Wright was used as a scape goat. I’m doing this because I’m tired of seeing innocent people being killed for murders they’ve not done the statement I made is a lie the one that I made at the first of our arrest. Greg Wright is innocent! I was there and know better. Did you place the murder of Donna D. Vick on the hands of Gregory E. Wright? Yes to make it look like he did it. I set him up.
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There is much more on this tragedy which will surely provide plenty of information to help prevent more executions and injustices in the future. To take a look please go Here

May the labor of love in putting together this information help free others.