Two Texas Inmates Go on Hunger Strike to Protest Their Executions
Kenneth Foster Jr., And John Joe Amador
Amador is to be executed on August 29 for the murder of 32 year old Reza Ayari, a cab driver from San Antonio. Amador has been on death row since 1995 and was 18 years old at the time of his offense. Ayari was shot in the back of the head, and his companion was shot in the face, but survived the attack according to TDCJ's website.
Foster is to be executed on August 30 for driving the car during a robbery in 1996 when Michael LaHood Jr. 25, was shot and killed during an attempted robbery.The man who shot and killed him, Mauriceo Brown has already been executed on July 19, 2006 for this crime. Brown confessed to the shooting and claimed he acted solely alone, and that the other defendants had no knowledge of the shooting.
Although Foster never left the car, and never touched the gun, he was sentenced under "The Law of Parties", where a defendant can be sentenced to die for being at the scene of the crime. Two other defendants in this crime Julius Steen and Dewayne Dillard, however were sentenced to long prison terms.
Fosters case has received notoriety through the media, because he was the get away driver, and not the trigger man. Family, friends and supporters of Foster have rallied for a clemency from Governor Perry. Foster's story has been on national as well as international news. The case will be reviewed by the Board of Parole and Pardons sometime around August 28th, just two days before Foster's scheduled execution.
Foster is the founder of D. R. I. V. E. a non violent activist group with members on death row. The site is maintained by Charles Peroud, a long time supporter of Foster. They maintain they do not condone violence, and strive for change through peaceful measures.
The two inmates have announced through an open letter circulated by the "Kenneth Foster Jr. Campaign Yahoo group" received from Foster that they will not eat any more meals served to them and they will only drink liquids, starting on August 23. They will be placed in "death watch" cells one week prior to their executions where they will be watched from video cameras.
Since the reinstatement of the death penalty in 1982, Texas will soon execute Johnny Conner the 400th inmate. Texas leads the nation in executions and is called the nations "busiest killing state." Texas has executed 19 inmates in 2007, more than any other state. One other execution is scheduled for August 28, Daroyce Mosley.
Sources:
Published by Dee
I am a prison activist/advocate writing about prison issues, hoping to make awareness, and bring reform. One out of every thirty-two people in the USA are currently on parole, probation or in prison. I am ow... View profile
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14 Comments
Post a CommentI understand where you're coming from but first of all my husband John Amador was "NOT" on a hunger strike. You say you're a christian but you think my husband's death was "Justice". For one, there are "MANY" things that the media didn't say, like the fact that my husbands attorney has a signed affidavit from the person who was with the cab driver that was killed stating she was coerced into saying John Amador was responsible and that she "KNOWS" my husband was innocent. What do you say to that?
A lot of new information in this article.
This page was linked to a group I joined- (against prisoner abuse)
Also, what I meant was John Joe Amador shouldn't be protesting his execution if he killed a family man- while said man was working- it was absolutely cruel! My cabdriver friends agree it's hard to make a buck- much less be exposed to violent thugs...
I understand Kenneth Foster's hunger strike- but my husband is a cab driver and if someone kills him- I'll be damned if that person gets away with living and taking a father from his children! That's it- I'm leaving this group- even though my mom is in prison.
Yes, there are injustices in the Criminal Justice dept., but there's a limit to what my Christianity can tolerate. Oh well, leave it up to God- vengeance is his!
I don't believe in "an eye for an eye", that's Old Testament law that Jesus paid for- with the ultimate sacrifice- his precious life.
I just feel that if my husband that works his butt off in the cab business were killed while innocently working- I would want ultimate justice- I say this with tears in my eyes!
Linda, thanks girl, we must talk soon I miss ya :_0
Hey Dee, I added your news report at the following URL: http://brokenchains.us/txdr/DRNews.html
Keep up the good work!
Deez!!! How I miss you your idiot!!
When prisoners go on hunger strikes and do whatever else it takes to make the public aware of the injustices, we need to support them in any and every way we can. We need to send their info to every media outlet we can. We also need to keep them in prayer!!!
...I recommend that you amend your report to specifically indicate to those who may/should be inclined both how to reach the state of Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles and Governor Perry, what should be said and by when....convert outrage into action!!!!....in peace....
Dee-
spreading this far & wide...People need to know & be aware- yes, this COULD happen to you. Its happening now...and I agree, Texas is a slaughterhouse...400 executions to date since the DP was reinstated!! Governor Perry & Texas are killing machines.