A federal judge has thrown out Ernest Ray Willis’ capital conviction after finding “strong reason to be concerned that Willis may be actually innocent” and that West Texas authorities needlessly drugged him and concealed evidence at his trial. The decision casts doubt on Willis’ 1987 conviction for the arson-murder of two women in Pecos County, a crime that another death row inmate, David Long, later confessed he had committed. In his ruling, U.S. District Judge Royal Furgeson said that anti-psychotic medication used incorrectly by prison guards to treat Willis’ chronic back pain hampered his ability to defend himself, and that his defense attorneys did not adequately represent him during the proceedings. Furgeson also noted that during Willis’ trial, prosecutors suppressed a psychologist’s report revealing that Willis was not dangerous, a key issue in death penalty cases. Furgeson stated that Texas’ highest criminal court erred when it dismissed these serious concerns and then he reiterated concerns raised by a state trial judge who four years ago ruled that Willis never received a fair trial. Willis remains on death row in Texas while state prosecutors decide whether to appeal the ruling, seek a new trial, or set him free. Officials have until November 18th to make their decision about how to proceed with the case. (San Antonio Express-News, July 27, 2004) See Innocence. See also Representation.