Dominique Green was executed in Texas on October 26 despite calls for a stay from a federal judge, Nobel Peace Prize winner Desmond Tutu, and the victim’s family. A U.S. District Court judge in Houston had postponed the execution until the city’s police department could complete cataloging 280 boxes of recently discovered evidence that could impact thousands of criminal cases. That stay was overturned by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

Green had admitted that he was present during the robbery that resulted in Andrew Lastrapes, Jr.’s death, but he had always maintained that he was not the triggerman. In the week leading up to the execution, the victim’s son, Andre Lastrapes, and his family issued a statement calling for clemency in the case. After the execution, Andre noted, “I felt it was dirty. They (officials and judges) had their chance. They’ll have to face a higher authority, which is God. I pray he (Green) goes to heaven.” Before being put to death, Green said, “Tell Andre and them that I didn’t get a chance to reach my full potential, but you can help them reach theirs.” Eleven more Texas inmates, including six from Harris County, are scheduled to be executed by early March. (Houston Chronicle, October 27, 2004) See DPIC’s Report on Texas.