LIBERADIO(!)

Representative Mike Turner (D – 51, the fighin’ 51st!), along with representatives from the Tennessee Coalition to Abolish State Killing, the Nashville Peace and Justice Center, Charles Strobel of Murder Victims Families for Human Rights, and Mrs. Joyce House, held a press conference this morning calling for Governor Phil Bredesen to pardon Paul House from an undeserved death sentence.

House, on death row for 22 years, is in ill health, having been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. He is no longer able to take care of his own basic needs – feeding and bathing himself. He is also not guilty.

There are many compelling reasons for House’s pardon, among them the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision, overturning a 6th Circuit Court ruling, that “no reasonable juror viewing the record as a whole would lack reasonable doubt.” Evidence presented that underscores reasonable doubt includes DNA (contrary to what the jury was told, the semen found on the victim is not House’s), witnesses to the confession of the victim’s husband, and tainted blood evidence. As Rep. Turner pointed out, it is unusual for the U.S. Supreme Court to take up a death penalty case and even more unusual for such a conservative court to rule as it has.

And yet, Mr. House still sits on death row.

At the press conference, Rep. Turner presented a letter signed by 32 members of the state legislature that will ask the Governor to Pardon House:

We write to you today to request that you act to ensure that Tennessee’s capital punishment system remains a model of justice and fairness. While we hold different views regarding the morality of capital punishment, we are all concerned that Tennessee continues to hold Paul Gregory House on death row.

It has now been nearly a year since the United States Supreme Court ruled that “no reasonable juror” would find House guilty if they looked at all the evidence now available. This evidence includes new DNA evidence that conclusively proves that Mr. House did not rape the victim, Carolyn Muncey, as well as evidence that blood found on Mr. House’s pants did not come from Mrs. Muncey’s body and two new witnesses testifying that Mrs. Muncey’s husband confessed to her murder.

Governor Bredesen, we understand that the authority to grant pardons is one of the most serious and awesome responsibilities of your office. However, in the case of Paul House, we believe that it is warranted. Mr. House has presented strong and convincing evidence of his innocence. He has already spent more than 22 years on Tennessee’s death row. Moreover, he is a very sick man and his health continues to degrade while he is incarcerated. Allowing an innocent man to die in prison would be a shame and blemish on our state, and we therefore respectfully request that you grant a full pardon to Paul House and send him home to his family.

The following bipartisan and bicameral members of the Tennessee state legislature have signed the letter: Rep. Briley, Rep. Brown, Rep. Coley, Rep. Cooper, Rep. Eldridge, Rep. Gilmore, Rep. Gresham, Rep. Hardaway, Rep. Sherry Jones, Rep. Ulysses Jones, Rep. Kernell, Sen. Marrero, Rep. Matheny, Rep. McCormick, Rep. Moore, Rep. Pruitt, Rep. Shaw, Rep. Shepard, Rep. Sontany, Rep. Swafford, Sen. Tate, Rep. Towns, Rep. Larry Turner, Rep. Mike Turner, Rep. Vaughn, and Rep. Wilder.

According to Rep. Turner, as many as 5 additional members will sign before the letter is sent.

Please join Rep Turner and email Governor Bredesen with your wish that he grant Paul House a full pardon.

Press Conference Audio
Rep. Mike Turner’s Opening Statement (02:20)
Joyce House’s Statement (01:30)
Charles Strobel’s Statement (02:00)
Additional Statement from Rep. Turner and Q&A (14:30)