Is Texas big enough to admit they got it wrong?

We want to have faith in the justice system.   We may not understand the processes or the terminology, but we like to think that those that do will see to it that things are done properly – and fairly.  To have faith – is to have belief beyond our own understanding.

But, can we?  No matter a person’s stance on the death penalty – the importance of getting it right – with that there is no question.  Too many times it appears our government doesn’t quite take that responsibility to heart.

That’s where a lot of those who oppose the death penalty get their argument – the courts don’t always get it right.  They have a history of making errors.  And – they have a history of not wanting to admit they have made an error when they clearly have.

Charles Mamou is a man on death row in Texas.  He has maintained his innocence, and anyone who looks closely at the lack of evidence would admit that he very well might be – innocent.   But, even more at issue is what actually happened during his sentencing.   There is no argument there.  What happened that day – goes without question.  It happened in front of a room full of people and is documented.

During the penalty phase of Mamou’s trial, victim impact testimony was allowed from victims of crimes for which he was never charged.

Charles Mamou has only ever been charged and tried for the murder of Mary Carmouche.  Regardless of how anyone wants to look at it or surmise or assume – Charles Mamou has never been on trial for any other murder.  That is a fact.

Yet – the prosecutor argued, “And when he pulled the gun and he fired and killed Terrence and Anthony, he ripped those families apart.  He devastated and destroyed.  And that’s all he’s ever done, with his drugs, with his guns.   And every time he pulled the trigger, he answered that first special issue yes, yes, yes, yes, yes.  Seven times he answered it yes.”

It didn’t stop there.  Not only was Charles Mamou given the guilt of those crimes without a trial – he was also given the blame for the hurt it caused those peoples’ families.  As the prosecution described two other ‘victims’ – “Terrence Gibson.  Anthony Williams. They were brothers. They were sons.  They were dads.”

It wasn’t just the words of the prosecutor that the jury heard.  According to court documents , during victim impact statements a family member of Anthony Williams’ testified regarding the “description of the hospital death of Mr. Williams; his sister’s identification of the body; the effect it had on his mother; heart-wrenching cemetery visits by Williams’ son; his crying as a result of the death of his father; and the health problems Williams’ death caused for his mother.”

Testimony regarding Terrence Gibson’s death included a family member “looking at baby pictures the day of his death.”  The testimony was “so compelling that Hill himself had to give Gibson time to compose herself and ‘a chance to adjust’.”

When handing out the ultimate punishment – that of a person’s life – how can we have faith in any courtroom that would allow that to happen?  More importantly – can Texas be big enough to admit its error before it’s too late?  Or will Charles Mamou’s name go into the history books as one more death penalty case with so many lingering questions?

TO CONTACT CHARLES MAMOU:
Charles Mamou #999333
Polunsky Unit 12-CD-53
3872 South FM 350
Livingston, TX 77351

Related Article:  What Does It Take To Get On Texas Death Row;
Awaiting Execution – “Have You Ever Felt Like You Can Taste The Future?”;
Because They Can – Execution In Texas;
Letter From Key Mamou Witness Contradicting Testimony;
Testimony Worthy Of An Execution?  The Mamou Transcripts Part I

Writing By Charles Mamou