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JEFF WOOD DID not kill the Texas shop assistant during a robbery gone wrong, nor did he even witness the shooting. But that didn’t stop the most active capital punishment state in the US from scheduling his execution next week.
On the morning of January 2, 1996, Wood was sitting in a truck outside the shop at a petrol station in the city of Kerrville while his friend Daniel Reneau went inside to rob a safe.
Reneau had planned to stage an unarmed robbery before escaping into the hills with Wood’s help. But the plan went awry when Reneau shot the store employee in the head after he refused to comply.
Hearing the gun go off, Wood rushed into the store to find a blood-soaked scene. He helped Reneau remove a video surveillance recorder before the two men fled, taking the safe and a cash box.
They were arrested the following day, quickly identified by witnesses. Reneau was put to death in 2002.
‘Law of parties’
Wood, who turns 43 on Friday, was sentenced to death under Texas’s so-called law of parties, under which anyone involved in a criminal plot resulting in death is equally responsible, regardless of actual involvement or intent.
Prosecutors argued that Wood could have anticipated that a murder would take place.
But activists, along with Wood’s attorneys, are fighting to halt the execution or at least obtain a reprieve.
“I have never seen an execution in the United States with this low of a level of culpability as Mr Wood has,” said the defence lawyer for Wood, Kate Black.
“I think that this case is a really strong example of the problem with the law of parties, and I think that the (Texas) Court of Criminal Appeals will take that very seriously.”
Child’s IQ
But even in Texas, which executes far more inmates than the other 30 states that exercise the death penalty, Wood’s case is an outlier.
Black claims that Wood, who is said to have the IQ of a child and severe mental disabilities, was unaware that Reneau – whom he had met just two months earlier – would carry a firearm into the shop.
Wood’s family and activists have worked hard to stop the lethal injection set to take place next Wednesday.
Several dozen evangelical leaders have also written to Texas Governor Greg Abbott demanding clemency.
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When sick crimes are committed over here, its easy to wish for the death penalty for rapists, child molestors and murderers etc, but its cases like this that make ye realise its wrong.
This case doesn’t make me not wish the death penalty for rapists and child molesters. Furthermore, this man was complicit in the murder of a shop keeper out making a living. I’m sure his family are happy to see him dead.
@Cholly, oh of course, and executing this man will bring the murder victim back to life, won’t it?
I’m having serious thoughts about ever visiting America again. In the past year the sheer amount of people being killed for no good reason by the very system that’s in place to protect them. Shame on America. The land of the free (if you are rich, white and from the east coast)
Or California. It is a horrible nation. Gun policy racism death penalty foreign policy college debt TRUMP health system just an all round bad place.
I am sure the American tourist board are very sorry about that Peter.
@Reese, That’s the thing, Im sure they’re not at all upset. In fact, the appalling unfriendly attitude of most of the customs officers at immigration proves that.
Not surprised that a response comes from someone who is fanboy of an American cop show.
I have never had an issue with the Homeland officers. Also the show you are referring to is not a cop show but keep your facts coming.
Gerry, I have been to the US on many occasions and have yet to encounter a bad mannered immigration or customs officer. In fact I have had some great conversations with them. The US is a huge and complex society with an enormous variety in both culture and outlook. Generalising about the US is a waste of time. Depending on what State or city you are in your experience can be radically different. Great country to visit and tour. People are invariably well mannered and good humoured.
Well said John R – The US is so diverse different states are like different countries.
Some States in America seem to need a blood sacrifice at regular intervals.
The death penalty is barbaric, it has no place in modern society.
Was he the getaway driver?
That was his initial role, but when his accomplice shot the cashier in the head he helped him cover it up and complete the robbery.
Bit harsh!
The justice that this US citizen is being shown is not too far from the justice that many citizens of “less civilised” countries are shown – the main differences are that the court and jail facilities are cleaner and better maintained, the legal staff get paid more, and the jail staff may be members of a union, but that’s about it.
America is just the same as the rest of the world.
Only difference is America has caused most of the problems in the world.
Always the ‘low IQ and mental disabilities’ isn’t it?
Maybe he should’ve called the cops and cooperated fully the minute it happened, rather than trying to cover it up and legging it with the safe and cash from the store.
Eyepopper, what part of “low IQ and mental disabilities” did you not understand?
Saudi Arabia me hole !
Nothing surprises me after the execution of Kenneth Fults who had an IQ of 82.. America is now executing people with special needs.
Inject him, he’s as guilty as the other lad
I am for the death penalty but only for the most evil of people. This guy clearly does not deserve the death penalty. Jail time with mental help would be what I would have given him.
http://truecrimereader.com in 1943 Ireland also hanged a man who didn’t kill anyone, although he meticulously planned the murder.
Just as guilty in my book. Good riddance.
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