What Happens in Texas Stays in Texas

[Thorvald of Lym]

From http://www.time.com/

Wednesday, Aug. 06, 2008
Mexico Condemns Texas Execution

By AP/JORGE VARGAS

(NUEVO LAREDO, Mexico) — Mexico's government condemned Texas' execution of Jose Medellin despite a world court order to review the case, expressing concern for the rights of other Mexicans detained in the United States.

Mexico's Foreign Relations Department said it sent a note of protest to the U.S. State Department about the case, which drew international attention because of allegations that Medellin wasn't allowed to consult the Mexican consulate for legal help following his arrest.

Texas executed the Mexican-born Medellin, 33, late Tuesday for the 1993 slayings of two teenage Houston girls after the U.S. Supreme Court rejected his request for a reprieve in a split vote.

Medellin was convicted of participating in the gang rape, beating and strangling of Elizabeth Pena, 16, and Jennifer Ertman, 14. He and five fellow gang members attacked the girls as they were walking home on a June night, raped and tortured them for an hour, then kicked and stomped them before using a belt and shoelaces to strangle them.

In Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, where Medellin was born, a small group of his relatives condemned his execution.

"Only God has the right to take a life," said Medellin's cousin Reyna Armendariz.

Six of his relatives and several activists gathered Tuesday in a working class neighborhood to await news on Medellin's fate.

A large black bow and a banner that read "No to the death penalty ... may God forgive you," hung from an iron fence in the front of the house where Medellin lived until moving to the United States at the age of 3.

A statement from Mexico's Foreign Relations Department said it was "concerned for the precedent that (the execution) may create for the rights of Mexican nationals who may be detained in that country."

An international court ruled in 2004 that the convictions of Medellin and 50 other Mexicans on death row around the United States violated the Vienna Convention, which calls for people arrested abroad to have access to their home country's consular officials.

Texas state officials say Medellin didn't ask to do so until well after he was convicted of capital murder.

The International Court of Justice, also known as the world court, said the Mexican prisoners should have new court hearings to determine whether the violation affected their cases.

President Bush asked states to review the cases, but the U.S. Supreme Court ruled earlier this year neither the president nor the international court can force Texas to wait.

Associated Press Writer Olga R. Rodriguez in Mexico City contributed to this report.

Severity of the crime aside, the potential precedent this sets is deadly, both to foreign nationals and Americans overseas. With this steamrolling of the Vienna Convention, other countries may not feel obliged to uphold their end when dealing with American convicts.

 

[warpus]

Yeah, stupid move by the U.S. here...

 

[JollyRoger]

Wonder what will happen to the next set of American Spring Breakers caught on the wrong side of the law and border.

 

[dutchfire]

Couldn't this guy appeal to a higher court (supreme court?) to stall the process?

 

[Masquerouge]

Couldn't this guy appeal to a higher court (supreme court?) to stall the process?

Have you read the last line of the quoted article?

EDIT: And I'm not talking about the signature

 

[dutchfire]

Have you read the last line of the quoted article?

EDIT: And I'm not talking about the signature

Well, the way I read it is:

World court: You should review these cases
Bush: Yeah, we probably should, states, go review your cases.
Texas: No, thanks, we won't review the case
SCOTUS: Texas doesn't have to wait

As far as I can see, the SCOTUS ruled on whether Texas should be forced to review, but I *suppose* that if the guy appealed, they would have to wait. The Supreme Court didn't rule on the actual world court decision, did they?

 

[Evie]

Well, you know, except the part where he was executed yesterday (third paragraph).

It's sort of hard to appeal something while dead.

 

[dutchfire]

Well, you know, except the part where he was executed yesterday (third paragraph).

It's sort of hard to appeal something while dead.

I was using "could" as a past tense

 

[Elrohir]

I find the fact that Texas basically just gave the finger to both the federal government and the World Court at the same time, and got away with it, rather hysterical. Good for them.

 

[QuoVadisNation]

At the risk of sounding cynical, part of me is wondering about the motive for Mexico in this case.

Is Mexico protesting the death penalty in general, our violation of questionable international laws, or is it because the prisoner in this case (who was convicted for two brutal murders) happens to be Mexican living in an American state? (living there for whatever reason)

 

[Thorvald of Lym]

I'd say all three.

 

[Virote_Considon]

I like this bit the best:

"Only God has the right to take a life," said Medellin's cousin Reyna Armendariz

 

[JollyRoger]

At the risk of sounding cynical, part of me is wondering about the motive for Mexico in this case.

Is it protesting the death penalty in general, our violation of questionable international laws, or is it because the prisoner (who was convicted for two brutal murders) happens to be Mexican?

It is protesting Texas ignoring one of the United States' international commitments in regards to one of its citizens. The U.S. would do the same thing with a similarly situated U.S. citizen in Mexico.

 

[a_propagandist]

We should review the case, but we should still convict and execute. What occurred was a massive crime and while we need to respect rule of law, we need to dole out proportionate punishment.

 

[Bugfatty300]

The Mexican government will not retaliate by cracking down harder on Americans or abusing them. Especially not over a sick pos like Medellin. If that happens American tourist will stay home and Mexico will lose lots of money.

Maybe some South of the Border think Medellin is a hero worth sacrificing Mexico's economy over but not many. I doubt there is much sympathy for him in Mexico.

 

[Masquerouge]

We should review the case, but we should still convict and execute. What occurred was a massive crime and while we need to respect rule of law, we need to dole out proportionate punishment.

I don't think that's the issue there. I think it has more to do with international conventions based around the fact that if country A does not have capital punishment, it will usually frown upon country B executing a citizen from country A.

The US has such conventions, basically because they do not wish US citizens to be stoned to death for adultery if caught in Saudi Arabia.

 

[a_propagandist]

Still, there is that definition of natural right to respect. The murders violated someone's natural rights while adultery does not.

 

[El_Machinae]

I guess the real matter is whether he was informed that he had a right to consular services, and whether he exercised that right. It always sucks when people cut corners.

 

[Slaughter]

"Only God has the right to take a life,"

No, not he only.

To stop a dangerous monster, you must tame him or take his means to hurt, imprision him... or kill him. Not killing a guilty murderer will only mean that he will be alive to kill later.

 

[Bill3000]

No, not he only.

By Catholic standards, absolutely.