Texas to execute prisoner who won strict freedoms case
Texas to execute prisoner who won strict freedoms case
A Texas inmate at the center of a legal battle over religious rights of those facing execution in the United States
A Texas inmate at the center of a legal battle over religious rights of those facing execution in the United States
Scheduled to be put to death on Wednesday for the murder of a convenience store clerk.
Scheduled to be put to death on Wednesday for the murder of a convenience store clerk.
John Henry Ramirez was set to be executed at 6 p.m. local time (2300 GMT) in the state's death chamber in Huntsville,
John Henry Ramirez was set to be executed at 6 p.m. local time (2300 GMT) in the state's death chamber in Huntsville,
He plans to have his Christian pastor lay hands on him and audibly pray as he dies by lethal injection.
He plans to have his Christian pastor lay hands on him and audibly pray as he dies by lethal injection.
Ramirez, 38, was sentenced to death for the fatal stabbing of Pablo Castro in Corpus Christi in 2004.
Ramirez, 38, was sentenced to death for the fatal stabbing of Pablo Castro in Corpus Christi in 2004.
The execution will take place seven months after the Supreme Court ruled 8-1 in Ramirez's favor in his case against the state of Texas
The execution will take place seven months after the Supreme Court ruled 8-1 in Ramirez's favor in his case against the state of Texas
Rejected his request for pastoral touch and prayer while he dies.
Rejected his request for pastoral touch and prayer while he dies.
The Ramirez case centered on religious protections under the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment
The Ramirez case centered on religious protections under the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment
A 2000 federal law that requires officials to show a compelling interest to deny a prisoner's religious-based request and to do so using the least restrictive means.
A 2000 federal law that requires officials to show a compelling interest to deny a prisoner's religious-based request and to do so using the least restrictive means.
Texas defended its position by emphasizing its need to maintain security during the execution.
Texas defended its position by emphasizing its need to maintain security during the execution.