The U.S. Supreme Court suspends the execution of Hank Skinner
![Image of Hank Skinner during his interview for the Focus issue. [TSR]](http://www.nationalturk.com/en/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Hank-Skinner-Death-row-Nationalturk.jpg "Hank Skinner Death row - Nationalturk")
The U.S. Supreme Court has suspended the execution of Hank Skinner just an hour before his scheduled execution through lethal injection, yesterday.The 47-year-old man had never admitted to the triple murder that he was convicted for in 1995 and has always demanded new DNA tests.
However, the suspension of the execution only buys time for Skinner and his lawyer as a new date will be set.
Skinner was informed of the suspension of the execution an hour before it was going to be held, by his lawyer via a cell phone. Skinner was waiting in a cell just a few meters away from where he would be executed.
“I was convinced I would die, I am eager to make DNA testing for me to prove my innocence and get out of this hell. I am deeply relieved. I feel like I have really won today.” said Skinner.
Hank Skinner was on death row and was going to be executed by lethal injection at Huntsville / Texas for the murder of girlfriend, Twila Busby and her two mentally impaired sons, Randy Busby and Elwin Caler. The murders that took place in December 31, 1993 Pampa, Texas had shocked the U.S.
Hank Skinner has never denied his presence on the scene of the murders, but he has always protested his innocence.
Traces of blood was found on Skinner that belonged to two of the victims but his lawyers say he was physically incapable of committing the murders, having fainted after drinking a large quantity of vodka.
Sandrine Ageorges, 49, the French wife of Skinner who he married in 2008 while on death row was allowed to visit him on Tuesday for a few hours.
Advocates of Hank Skinner also argue that the real killer could be the uncle of Twila Jean Busby, Robert Donnell, a former inmate who became violent under the influence of alcohol and died in 1997.
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what right does our nation have to take the life of a man. you are not god, do not pretend to be. whoever takes the life of someone is just as guilty in gods eyes as the one who commited murder in the first. give the man a chance to prove his innocence if he is. most times you execute and later find out your judgment was wrong. and then what? your to late to bring back the life you just took. and i for one would not like to have that on my conciese. you be a murderous state if you feel the need
we r not allowed to kill no one only God can judge those who kill people so plz dont stop his life as he can be innocent
please, let this man do the dna test he is asking for. Does it really cost that much to our society to give an innocent his chance. Do we have the right to cancel a life in the first place, do we have the right to sentence to death a human being who seems to be a perfect stranger to crime. If we were to go ahead with this sentence, then …. I let you guess what we should qualify ourselves after such an act!
When I first read about this case, I had a hinch that the cousin of this inmate may have committed the killing. This should by all means be examined. Imagine the following scenario: Skinner is found by his cousin to be hopelessly intoxicated with alcohol and codeine. He passes out. The cousin, with a known history of molesting the family sees his chance. He could do nothing as long as Skinner was conscious. He continues to drink with the victims. Feigning that he is helping his brother, he injects him some potent drug when no one sees. He them accosts the victims, who resist. He decides to kill them, knowing that Skinner is unable to intervene. He then some time later, feels remorse and drives his car to his death. Skinner convicted of the crime can’t prove his innocence, given that the only witness committed suicide. But the judges should examine the possibility of codeine causing a person to completely black out. They should also examine in every detail the past history of the cousin!