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Texas Executes 28-Year-Old Convicted Killer
A 28-year-old death row inmate convicted of killing a man during a robbery more than nine years ago was executed Tuesday evening in Huntsville.
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Posted by: Cracker
Location: Gatesville
on Oct 28, 2009 at 12:02 PM
To closure is a fallacy: I in no way inflicted torture on Mr. Blanton's family. Mr. Blanton inflicted this torture on his own family when he chose to commit a crime that carried the death penalty. [ Report Abuse ]
Posted by: Frank
Location: Belton
on Oct 28, 2009 at 10:57 AM
If he is working on improving conditions for death row prisoners then he is not "doing good". If before he killed someone he was working on his families condition (legally) then THAT would be good. All you people who know people, kids, adults who are acting like thugs, shake them NOW before THEY kill someone. I am 57 years old and have known noone who has been accused of killing someone. My friends and family come from ALL awlks of like from the dirt poor to the "I hate them cause they got so much money". If you put yourself into the situation where there is even a slight possibility that you could be accused of doing something illegal then its your own dam* fault. There is help out there for anyone that needs it. As far as the death penalty being a deterant. All you people say STOP THE DEATH PENALTY NOW. Whats YOUR solution? You never seem to have one other than dont kill him cause his loved ones will suffer. Well I hate it for the, I truly do. Come up with another solution. [ Report Abuse ]
Posted by: Mike
Location: Ft Hood
on Oct 28, 2009 at 09:52 AM
Here in Texas we got an "express Lane" Darn right.... [ Report Abuse ]
Posted by: hewitt
Location: tx
on Oct 28, 2009 at 08:53 AM
to Closure is a Fallacy, wow i honestly don't think i would have thought of it that way. i am a firm believer of justice and i honestly don't know what i would do if someone i know would be murdered, but you definately gave me something to think about. yes, i do believe that there are many people that get away with the crimes they commit and that there are times the justice is to soft for the offenders, but i never thought of the way that you have described the death of the offender for the other family and i thank you for that. i do try to keep an open mind. again i don't know how i would react if my loved one was killed by someone and i pray that i never will. i am sorry for what happened to the you and the person of this story. and wacokid, i do agre that justice should be equal for all types of people (rich, poor, etc) but i do think that justice should be tough on crimes to help prevent crime repeated in the future. [ Report Abuse ]
Posted by: Dr. Who
Location: Waco
on Oct 28, 2009 at 08:39 AM
I don't care if the death penalty is not a 'crime deterrent'. In the U.S. we do not have a criminal 'deterrent' system, we have a criminal JUSTICE system. Justice was served in this case. [ Report Abuse ]
Posted by: WacoKid
Location: Texas
on Oct 28, 2009 at 07:39 AM
People that are Pro Death Penalty believe that justice is fair. I use to believe that also until a friend spend years in jail for a minor offense because he didn't have money for a good lawyer to get a fair trial. Justice should be equally fair for the rich, poor, inocent and even the guilty. Tough on crime degrades fair justice but gets politicians elected. [ Report Abuse ]
Posted by: Jake
Location: Texas
on Oct 28, 2009 at 07:19 AM
I'm glad that justice was served. At least the court system let Mr. Blanton know the day he was going to die instead of shooting him without warning the way he murdered Carlos Garza. 22 is way too young to have your life taken from you because of some possible druggie. I agree murderers need to be executed as soon as possible. I'd rather have my tax dollar used to serve justice instead of keeping murderers alive. [ Report Abuse ]
Posted by: Cracker
Location: Gatesville
on Oct 28, 2009 at 06:28 AM
From reading the other post it appears that Mr. Blanton had a history of misconduct. Selling another mans possesions 20 minutes after he is murdered is pretty strong evidence, in my opinion. If every capital offense needed eye witness testimony or DNA evidence to convict, there would be a lot of murderers walking the street. We need to kill all of the murdering scum on death row, then start on the career criminals and pedophiles in the general population. [ Report Abuse ]
Posted by: Chuck
Location: Waco
on Oct 28, 2009 at 06:00 AM
Moms Mabley, the comedian once said "you ain't sposed to talk bout dead folks unless it's somethin good......HE DEAD......GOOD!!!!!" [ Report Abuse ]
Posted by: bj
Location: china spring
on Oct 28, 2009 at 05:48 AM
"fame in the neighborhood"???? I"m sure that fame did not come from doing good things to help others. He lived a life of crime, and you people that are supporting him know that. It's time........ [ Report Abuse ]
Posted by: KR
Location: Texas
on Oct 28, 2009 at 04:31 AM
Need to execute one a day for about 1 1/2 years then fill death row back up with inmates from different TDC units and i bet u the crime rate will go down, way to go Governor of Texas keep up the good work... [ Report Abuse ]
Posted by: Closure is a Fallacy
Location: Reality
on Oct 27, 2009 at 11:49 PM
Marlin, your blanket judgement on how all victims' families are supposed to feel is as ignorant and offensive as the crime itself. NOT all victims families fall into your tidy little category. NOT all victims families wish the death penalty for the one who took their loved one. And before you start issuing scenarios of what if? Yes I DID lose a family member to murder. And for the killer to be executed would have been the greatest insult and dishonour to her memory - since she abhorred the death penalty as do we. Some victims families do not wish to inflict cold calculated grief on a killer's own family. In killing Reginald Blanton you have inflicted torture on his family - who are absolutely blameless. THAT is what is truly sick. [ Report Abuse ]
Posted by: anonymous
Location: Austin
on Oct 27, 2009 at 11:47 PM
I am sure if the jewelry was Reginald's and he proved it with pictures, then maybe that had nothing to do with how they came to the conclusion he did it. Did the guy confess? What do you mean "his fame"? Fame for what? This man chose the wrong path and everyday each of us make choices. Acting upon those choices can sometimes be good or bad. The choice this man made cost him his life and his victim also. [ Report Abuse ]
Posted by: Billy
Location: fairfield
on Oct 27, 2009 at 10:52 PM
If we keep executing these criminals, who will be around to vote for Obama next election? [ Report Abuse ]
Posted by: Mike
Location: Oroville, Calif
on Oct 27, 2009 at 10:44 PM
In the past nine years there have been 53 men who have been freed from death row throughout the United States to walk away with charges completely dismissed after being exonerated through DNA or otherwise. Furthermore, there are no millionaires on death row coincidently. Capital Punishment is useless and barbaric in all fashions. The argument that it deters crime is a fallacy, proven by the State of Texas statics which kills more men and women than any other state and reaps one of the largest capital murder rates. Killing people also costs the taxpayer much more than life in prison, that fact is undisputed today. Capital Punishment does serve a purpose and that is to ambitious prosecutors and law enforcement that are promoted and advanced upon arrests and convictions. Many prosecutors have no interest in true justice and use the death penalty as a form of gaining convictions under plea bargains in exchange for life under its threat. [ Report Abuse ]
Posted by: The Sentry
Location: Maxdale
on Oct 27, 2009 at 10:07 PM
The most important thing is he will no longer breed more little criminals to burden our criminal justice system and add to our over taxation. To those that defend him I would like to see his work history prior to this crime. We who work and pay taxes are pitted against the criminal element who's biggest goal is to find a way to end up on disability. [ Report Abuse ]
Posted by: Relative
Location: San Antonio
on Oct 27, 2009 at 09:47 PM
HE DESERVED IT! He killed my cousin and now our family can have closure. [ Report Abuse ]
Posted by: Jasper
Location: planet of lost primates
on Oct 27, 2009 at 09:42 PM
Pawning and possessing the victim's jewelry I would think is circumstantial evidence and that alone would not seem to be corroborating since it is the same subject of jewelry. Consider the following before you pass condemation against this person.... If another subject was the real killer, the murder might have been motivated by other issues...hatred, drugs, etc. and the killer grabbed the jewelry not for personal profit or possesion but to make sure it got into the hands of another person like Reginald to mislead authorities so the real killer gets away. I sure hope that there was other evidence more solid linking this person to the crime. [ Report Abuse ]
Posted by: Scorpion
Location: Temple
on Oct 27, 2009 at 09:42 PM
More bleeding heart liberal garbage - "guilty beyond a reasonable doubt", etc. The man had the victim's jewelry 20 minutes after the murder. Sure, he was innocent. And the governor is covering this one up, too, I suppose! [ Report Abuse ]
Posted by: Dr. Who
Location: Waco
on Oct 27, 2009 at 08:54 PM
I am tired of the excuse that the death penalty is too expensive because of the legal costs. That is the fault of the justice system. We need to do away with the endless appeals these scumbags get. Most of the time, some bleeding heart organization files the appeals on behalf of the dirtbag. It is THEIR fault for tying up the system and costing the taxpayers so much. Give them one appeal and be done with it. If you want to get rid of people on death row, the answer is simple. Execute them now. [ Report Abuse ]
Posted by: The Truth
Location: Waco
on Oct 27, 2009 at 08:50 PM
Doesnt matter. He had the goods and was caught red handed. I get sick of people crying about the executions. They should go back to public executions and force everyone to attend. The money sold off entry fees should go to the victims families. Texas wastes way to much money housing known murders. If they are guilty, give them one last meal and execute them at the longest a week later. There would be no overcrowding either. Child offenders? Mandantory branding and sterilize them man or woman. Nine years. I bet the victim wishes he had nine more years to spend alive. Piece of criminal trash! [ Report Abuse ]
Posted by: Anonymous
on Oct 27, 2009 at 08:31 PM
Hey Gabe, here is some knowledge for you. He is still going to have to go through all of the trials and legal fees, you cant sit there and say that its cheaper to keep him in prison for the rest of his life. If it cost 3.50 to feed this inmate per meal for at least a minumum of 40 years, i think it is cheaper to execute him. You do the math. And as for the foot print on the door, that print could have been there for a long time. [ Report Abuse ]
Posted by: Gabe
Location: theland of thefree??
on Oct 27, 2009 at 05:32 PM
The jewelry was Reginald'! he had pictures with it from months before the incident! Also the mark of shoe that kicked the door of Mr. Graza's appartment was two sizes smaller than Reg's!! Reg was convicted because of "confessions" and because of his fame in the neighborhood. Lastly the death penalty is much more expensive than life in prison because of it legal cost. READ ABOUT THE CASE AND THEN SHARE YOUR OPINION WITH SOME KNOWLEDGE! [ Report Abuse ]
Posted by: Joolz
Location: N Ireland
on Oct 27, 2009 at 05:23 PM
Methinks the haters here have not read his case properly [ Report Abuse ]
Posted by: Marlin
Location: Texas
on Oct 27, 2009 at 04:43 PM
To Fight4Justice Location: Everywhere .... According to your post all the convicted murderers currently on Death Row are all innocent. WHERE'S YOUR FACTS? What, no facts, just emotional appeal? Tough! I'll tell you what we'll do..... Let's put you in the victim's place. Your home is invaded, you're shot multiple times, you die bleeding to death, your family suffers for years. NOW do you think that other people should be risked by having a killer go free? With parole available, that's what you're saying. Let's do one better. YOUR WIFE/HUSBAND/CHILD/MOTHER/FATHER was the victim. They were tortured by the pain as the were dieing. The thief who murdered them, 20 minutes later, was pawning a few pieces of cheap jewelry to get his drug habit quenched. How about now, still want this scum out there committing more crimes? Did you defend the Oklahoma Bomber? If you did, why? If you didn't why not? MURDERERS NEED TO BE KILLED AS FAST AS POSSIBLE. This one needs it right NOW! [ Report Abuse ]
Posted by: Melissa
on Oct 27, 2009 at 04:30 PM
A jury of your peers does not mean the justice system has to go out looking for thieves, murderers, etc to serve on the jury. A jury found him guilty. The only way to exonerate him is to 'prove beyond a resonable doubt his innocence'. If he is this amazing do-gooder then just what was he doing fencing a dead man's jewelry AND wearing it?? I think we leave people on death row entirely too long - they start to forget and believe themselves innocent and then try to convince everyone else they are innocent. Their victims did not get the luxury of time. One year should be more than enough time to appeal and then pay your pennance. [ Report Abuse ]
Posted by: me
Location: gatesville
on Oct 27, 2009 at 03:29 PM
it sounds like these helped him with the crime. what about the victums family. i looks like he will finnally get what he deserves! [ Report Abuse ]
Posted by: Fight4Justice
Location: Everywhere
on Oct 27, 2009 at 02:19 PM
I can tell by the responses here that are quick to say Reginald Blanton should die that none of you have actually read about his case, nor the many other innocent people sitting on death row who didn't get a jury of their peers or effective council. The justice system is biased - plain and simple. If Reginald Blanton had the money to hire a good lawyer like some rich person, he would have never landed on death row. Why? Because there is no evidence against him and no one saw him commit a murder. Period! Reginald has family, brothers who love and care for him, a mother who is crying out for her son to live and friends like me who have been impacted by all the good Reginald has done for the world. He has organized to better conditions for prisoners on death row, including prisoners who are mentally disabled. Its time we end the death penalty once and for all! If you agree Gov. Rick Perry should stop the execution of Reginald Blanton, call Perry rinow 512 463 1782 and help save his life! [ Report Abuse ]
Posted by: Ratso
Location: Waco
on Oct 27, 2009 at 01:02 PM
What bothers me is "beyond a reasonable doubt" when it comes to the Death Penalty. The reason this case bothers me is because there apparently was no DNA evidence or witnesses linking him to the actual murder. They have him wearing and trying to sell the deceased person's jewelry. Now, true story, about twenty years ago I was dropping a friend off that worked for me, in East Waco one night at one of the "rougher" apartment complexes. We pulled up and it looked like 40 people surrounding my truck, one "gentleman" came to my window, ripped a necklace off my neck, and another was getting into the back of my truck. My friend said "Lets get out of here now"! After it was all said and done, I had a necklace ripped off and also two tool boxes full of tools out of the back of my truck. The next morning we went back asking questions and going door to door in East Waco following leads. This stuff changed hands a half dozen times that night. Bought it all back for $20. Could this be the case here? [ Report Abuse ]
Posted by: dollorbil
on Oct 27, 2009 at 12:45 PM
Give him the injection. Someone who doesn't care about another life and takes it without cause needs to die. I hope you have repented your sins your time is here. [ Report Abuse ]
Posted by: MAN UP
Location: KILLEEN
on Oct 27, 2009 at 11:51 AM
How can you expect him to take it like a man, when he did not act like a man when he committed the crime. And not once did I see a claim of innocence by his lawyers, just administrative issues. [ Report Abuse ]
Posted by: acheman
Location: Troy
on Oct 27, 2009 at 11:20 AM
The murder of the crime ought to get a lethal injection of lead from a firing squad so they can know what it was like for his vicitm to die. Nine years of taxpayer dollars wasted on death row housing. I would like to know what this imate's excuse was for having possession of the jewelry while claiming innocence. [ Report Abuse ]
Posted by: Someone
Location: Near-Here
on Oct 27, 2009 at 10:19 AM
9 years at $50,000 a year equals $450,000.00, when it only costs $85.00 to lethal-Inject. Get it done and move on to the next one!!! [ Report Abuse ]
Posted by: John
Location: Waco
on Oct 27, 2009 at 09:55 AM
Yeah, claims of innocence. It's not what he says but what the jury says .. so, .. bye bye. NEXT! [ Report Abuse ]
Posted by: A
Location: Killeen
on Oct 27, 2009 at 09:13 AM
You did the crime now comes your punishment. Suck it up and face it like a man instead of trying to get out of it. Let justice be served and may God have mercy on your soul. [ Report Abuse ] |
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If I were President there would be the DEATH PENALTY FOR SURE! I wouldn't waste money keeping murderers in prison, feeding them, giving them the H1N1 vaccine before the general public, letting them workout, watch TV, give them Health Care that most people don't get. I mean, seriously?! If you kill, if you are found guilty, you are executed...and not by electrocution. A more cost efficient method- a bullet. How's that CA?
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Justice would have been better served had this killer been shot as soon as he was sentenced. To keep him alive for nine years is unthinkable.
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I hate this justice. you still believe on the eye for an eye. Justice is when you let this criminals stay in prission for the rest of their lives thinking on what they have done to this inosent people and their families.
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mike in ca just goes to show you how screw up ca is, after all you have pelosi in congress, you have to be off somehow.. go texas .
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Hey Mike in CA...Dont site polls that are 8yrs old! When all of the crime, immigration and money problems are fixed in CA then you can try and make suggestions for Texas!
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All i know is that their is one person who will never commit another crime.
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Collateral damage Mike. This is a war on crime. Grow a set and join up.
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You know whats wrong with california? Californians. The most idiotic group of people on earth (per capita, lol). As soon as you get Your broken state fixed, you can come on here and talk smack to us. Tell Manson we said Hi. P.S. Dont come begging for electricity anymore
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Good god california!! what ever you do, don't come here!! california is so screwed up, people are bailing out of there left and right!! So we don't need you coming here and pushing those tree hugger laws here,,STAY OUT!!!!
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Stop worrying about Texas Death Row and worry about your California going broke and busted. Maybe you can tax death row inmates in California?
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All I can say Mike, is that I'm glad I live in Texas and I'm glad you live in bleeding heart California.
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According to a Scripps-Howard poll of Texas residents performed in February of 2001, seventy-three percent approved of the death penalty. Yet the same poll indicated that fifty-seven percent of the residents believed that Texas had killed innocent people. The fact that these people approve of innocent people being murdered so they can enjoy the perception of feeling safe because government is recklessly killing people is truly remarkable. Nearly six out of ten people in Texas have no problem with the discrepancy in the system because their self-focused sense of decency convinces them that since they and the rest of their family pretty much abide the laws chances are good that they will never be the victim of their fellow Texans’ hell bent drive to kill. . .'
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Justice should definitely be served but I agree with detering also. If you knew that you would lose your hand for stealing, or get your tongue cut out for judging, or lose your "privates" for rape, & it was actually carried out on a few examples, most would back off. And for those who still choose to buck the system, then they should be put to justice. What's to stop a criminal from continuing to commit crimes? A loss of 10 years from life? WHAT MAKES YOU THINK THEY CARE ABOUT THAT? They prove they don't care about their life or the lives of others so removing them from the streets just makes them stronger & angry. Be proud of your Governor I guess, but know that the system is a "justice" system because it makes MONEY!! Stop 85% of people from committing crime & you lose dollars. So for those of you that are proud of your Governor, he's not thinking about you; he's thinking about his pocket!
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Jasper: Guess what? I completely agree with the statements you made. Crime on any level is wrong and should be punished no matter who they are. But your title and location? That was uncalled for. This guy's nationality could have been anything and his crime was wrong. What's interesting is that people deem certain behaviors worthy of punishment. I think your mode of disrespect should be punished. I think you should be fed your brains like Silence of the Lambs so you can eat your thoughts and your words. Now that wouldn't be fair, would it? Be careful how you speak...it may come back to bite you...some of this stuff IS traceable...
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To Closure is a Fallacy Location: Reality (or UNREALITY atually). I too have lost someone to murder. The person was raped and then murdered. So does that make me an expert? No. Does it justify the Death Penalty? YES. I know for a fact that the person who killed mine will NEVER commit another crime again be it prison or on the street. THAT ALONE means the death penalty is appropriate. If you, having lost someone, decide that you don't like the death penalty, well good for you. I suppose that makes you "morally superior"? No, it makes you unrealistic. Prisoners commit crimes against others in prison, some get paroled and commit more crimes. UNTIL YOU PERSONALLY CAN PROVE THAT NONE OF THE MURDERERS WILL NEVER COMMIT ANY CRIMES AGAIN YOU HAVE NO ROOM TO BE AGAINST CAPITAL PUNISHMENT. In the end, capital punishment is society's way of assuring that the person who has proved that life means nothing to them will NEVER AGAIN KILL. Simple as that. Now try rationalizing your views again...
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