STATE of TEXAS HOUSE of REPRESENTATIVES é 0 w pine Oe oo? Harold V. Dutton, Jr. comme istic 42 Juvenile Justice and Family Issues, Ch August 1, 2016 Sane | The Honorable Greg Abbott 4 Governor, State of Texas \ : 4 State Capitol, Room 28.1 RECEIVED QW: Austin, Texas 7870) _——— AUG 09 2015 Hon. David Gutierrez, Chair ‘Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles OO7/CCOM & 8610 Shoal Creek Boulevard Austin, Texas 78757 C. Re: Jeff Wood b Dear Governor Abbott and Chairman Gutierrez: ‘As you know, the execution of Jeff Wood is presently set for August 24, 2014. we respectfully request a review of the facts of this case which I believe mitigate against a death sentence and cries loudly for commutation of Jeff Wood’s sentence to life without parole. The facts in the ‘Wood case are not dissimilar to those of Kenneth Foster whose sentence was commuted to life without parole in 2007 by then Governor Rick Perry. As legislators, we are well aware that we have no legal authority to halt the execution of Jeff ‘Wood, only you can do that. However, as citizens of this great State, we believe itis our duty to impress upon you the undeniable truth surrounding the impending execution of Jeff Wood. As you know, Jeff Wood was charged with capital murder under Texas’ “law of parties’ and the ‘undisputed truth is that Jeff Wood did not kill anyone. In January, 1996, Jeff Wood waited in a vehicle while Daniel Reneau robbed a convenience store. Reneau was executed in 2002 and admitted to being the actual shooter of the convenience clerk. Further, the facts indicate that Jeff ‘Wood was not in the store when the killing took place and did not anticipate that Reneau would shoot the clerk. ‘Almost no one argues that Jeff Wood should not be punished for what happened in that convenience store. There is also little disagreement that Jeff Wood should not be executed when he did not actually Kill anyone. For sure, there are differing opinions among our colleagues and the citizens of Texas about the death penalty. However, executing someone who did not “pull the trigger”, so to speak, will simply further erode public confidence in Texas’ criminal justice system. Finally, as legislators responsible for making the laws of the State of Texas, we also assume our obligation to protect our criminal justice system from mistakes. Simply put, the execution of Jeff ‘Wood is just wrong. We respectfully request clemency for Jeff Wood. ‘Best personal regards, 1 AUSTIN OFFICE: State Capitol Room 3N'S Post Office Box 2910» Austin Texas 76768-2910 512/463-0510 « FAX-512/469-8509 [D HOUSTON OFFICE: 8799 North Loop East Suite 200+ Houston, Texas 72029 71:1652-919 » FAX: 7IV6924791 "E-Mall: harold dutonshousestateSTATE of TEXAS HOUSE of REPRESENTATIVES Harold V. Dutton, Jr. Commies: Distt 2 Juvenile usc and Family Isues, Chait Public Education Sunset Advisory Commission REP. HAROLD V. DUTTON, JR REP, SENFRONIA THOMPSON REP. GARNET COLEMAN REP. ALMA ALLEN REP, RON REYNOLDS AUSTIN OFFICE: Sate Capitol Room 3N.5 Post Ofce Box 210 Austin, Texas 78768-2910 + 512/463.0510 » FAX: 5124638333 HOUSTON OFFICE: £799 North Loop East Suite 200+ Houston, Texas 77029 713/692.9192 » FAX: 71316926791 ‘EMail: harold dutton@house state us