(September 3, 2008)--More than 20 former judges and prosecutors asked Gov. Rick Perry Wednesday to stop the scheduled execution of Charles Dean Hood.
Hood is scheduled to die next Wednesday, two days before a hearing is scheduled on whether a now-former judge and prosecutor had an unethical romance during his trial.
The former judges and prosecutors want Perry to delay the execution until the hearing can be held.
Perry's office had no immediate response.
He has the authority to block executions with a one-time 30-day reprieve.
Hood was sentenced to die for the 1989 shooting deaths of Tracie Lynn Wallace and her boyfriend, Ronald Williamson, in Plano.
Hood's lawyers contend the alleged secret relationship between now retired Judge Verla Sue Holland and former Collin County District Attorney Tom O'Connell tainted the trial.
Holland and O'Connell, who's now in private practice, have declined to address the allegations.
Texas Governor’s Web Site