GO TO THE CASE HISTORY PAGE TO GET THE BASIC HISTORY OF THE CASE .
GO TO THE MEDIA PAGE TO GET A MORE IN DEPTH HISTORY WITH ALL THE LEGAL LINKS TO PAST AND CURRENT MOTIONS FILED.
TO HEAR A LIVE INTERVIEW WITH ARTHUR FROM DEATH ROW, CLICK ON SOUND LINK AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS HOME PAGE (A live interview from death row was done with Arthur's daughter asking Arthur questions. This interview was done on 09-14-07. Arthur had two scheduled executions September 27th, and December 06, 2007. Both executions were stayed. The interview was done prior to the scheduled executions)
Thomas Arthur, Alabama death row inmate Z-427 has sat on death row for over 20 years. He has been denied DNA testing of crime scene evidence, and his clam of innocence , nor any of the irregularities related to the investigation of he murder , has EVER been considered by a state or federal habeas court for how they affected his constitutional right to due process, a fair trial, effective assistance of counsel. This happened because Alabama is the only state that does not provide a post- conviction lawyer for death row prisoners. By the time Arthur was able to find a pro bono lawyer to handle his case, the time had expired for him to file his state, then federal habeas corpus petition. This is wrong, everyone deserves a fair trial. What makes Arthur's case different, he will be the first death row inmate executed without his 1st Habeas Corpus Review. This is a right every United States Citizen is entitled. even terrorists suspects in guantanomo bay are entitled to Habeas Corpus Reviews, but not United States Citizens? Arthur will be killed, as will Troy Anthony Davis, both whom have over whelming proof of innocence, because they filed their paper work late. The State of Alabama will claim Arthur has had multiple appeals. Truth is, after his 3nrd conviction was overturned, he has never had any of his appeals heard by a higher court because he filed his paper work late. It is an law called the AEDPA Act. It even took the United States Supreme Courts power away to grant Arthur DNA testing of evidence. In November of 2007, The United States Supreme Court denied Arthur DNA testing of his crime scene evidence that could prove his innocence. They had no power to rule.
DNA Evidence that includes blood, hair and semen was recovered and still exists, but it has never been tested!!! Yet the State of Alabama not only REFUSES to DNA test the crime scene evidence---but it is refusing to allow Arthur to have the evidence DNA tested at HIS EXPENSE!!! See all the Evidence Collected By The State of Alabama The State of Alabama states that they will not DNA test the evidence "because it is not a law" and "because it cannot prove innocence" both statements made by the AG of Alabama. Well the leading experts in DNA testing, The Innocence Project, strongly disagree and have written several letters to Governor Riley stating testing of the Crime scene evidence can prove innocence and prove Arthur was never at the crime scene. If he was not there, how could he committed the murder? The AG and The Governor are not experts in DNA testing. the Governors office even wrote the Innocence Project asking for their expertise in DNA testing. You can find the response to that letter from the Innocence Project on this home page.
The point is not whether Arthur is guilty or innocent. The point is DNA testing should be allowed. Everyone should be entitled to an attorney at all times. There should not be a time limiton accessing your evidence. A suspect should have access to the evidence.
The United States Supreme court has ruled April 16 on the Baze V. Rees case. To read the entire opinion. click here.
Most Americans do not understand the Death Penalty and think most people deserve it. The truth is the United States Supreme Court should not of being ruling on cruel and unusual punishment. They should of been ruling on the death penalty judicial system. We are obviously killing innocent people and making mistakes. The leading experts in the country, the Innocence Project and their efforts have freed hundred of innocent people through DNA evidence.
The victims family has requested, by signed affidavit to have the Crime Scene evidence DNA testing, asking that Governor Riley have the Crime Scene evidence DNA tested. See Statement
*Arthur was scheduled to be executed September 27, 2007. The Governor granted a 45 day "reprieve"based on implementing a new lethal injection protocol. See Governors Order
*Arthur was rescheduled by the Alabama Supreme Court for execution December 06, 2007. See Death Order
*November 26, 2007, the United States Supreme Court denied Arthur's request for DNA testing of the crime scene evidence.
*December 05, 2007, The United States Supreme Court granted Arthur a stay of execution base on lethal injection issues the USSC has yet to rule on in 2008. See Stay
*April 16 , 2008 the United States Supreme Court Ruled lethal injection was not cruel and unusual punishment. See order
*April 21, 2008, the United States Supreme lifted the stay on Arthur and hundreds more death row inmates. See order
April 2008, The State of Alabama moves to reset an execution date for Arthur as well as several more death row inmates. See Motion
The Innocence Project based in New York, headed by Barry Scheck and Peter Nufield have made numerous requests to Alabama Governor Bob Riley to DNA test the crime scene evidence. Stating it could prove Arthur's innocence.
In A Letter And Web-Based Campaign Launched Today, Innocence Project Says DNA Testing Could resolve Serious Questions In Case Of Thomas Arthur Read Entire Letter & Web Based Campaign
*11-05-07 The governor refuses to order DNA testing even after requesting information from the Innocence Project on post-conviction DNA testing.The Innocence Project sent the requested information. However, the governor has taken no additional steps since receiving the information from the Innocence Project. See the Response from the Innocence Project
*December 03, 2007, the Innocence Project sent governor Riley a letter stating they are deeply disappointed by the manner in which the governor's office has handled Mr. Arthur's request for testing thus far and do not understand the reason for it's failure to take action. The Innocence Project went on to state , Had you authorized testing, those results could have proved evidence of Mr. Arthur's innocence and even identified the killer...Read Entire Letter
There are many laws that need to be changed in the State of Alabama and many other States when it comes to Capital Punishment. Many innocent people are being executed in the United States every year. Alabama is the only State in the United States that does not provide death row inmates the right to an attorney during post-conviction appeals. Alabama is one of only 8 (eight ) States that does not have mandatory DNA testing. Alabama is also the only state that allows a judge to over rule a jurys sentencing of life without parole to death. Alabama is still practicing racial judicial proceedures.
Hans Sherrer, publisher of Justice denied show cases Arthurs case to expose a flawed judicial system, especially, if you insist you are innocent and refuse a plea deal with prosecutor. You must read !!!! Read Entire Article In Justice Denied
Justice Denied Publisher, Hans Sherrer has written an article that tells it like it is. This is not an execution, but is a murder. Read Entire Article
Amnesty International has issued an Urgent Action November 29, 2007, requesting that the public to send appeals to Alabama governor Bob Riley to stay the execution and order DNA testing of the crime scene evidence. Read Urgent Action
Amnesty International pleads and argues DNA testing with Alabama Governor Bob Riley to have scientific DNA testing done during this 45 day "reprieve" Stating it could prove someone other than Thomas Arthur was At the crime scene , therefore discrediting the prosecutions main witnesses testimony against him. See Urgent Action From Amnesty International A few you-tube videos have been made by Arthur's daughter, Sherrie Stone. The videos were made prior to both of Arthur's scheduled executions. the first one has a lot of information about the case. See Arthur's Daughter On You Tube To hear a live interview done with Arthur from Death Row prior to both scheduled executions, click on sound link.
