Kudos to Governor Perry. Fears that a reduction in members of the Board of Pardons and Paroles might lead to a "softer" Board on death have apparently been realized (in Patterson's case, 5-1). But even in light of its recommendation, the Governor stood firm, as did the USSC, and rejected any grace. The interests of the majority of Texas citizens supporting the ultimate sanction have been upheld. It seems we will have to be increasingly vigilant and proactive in death cases as they reach the BPP and Governor.

This case is apparently going to get LWOP passed.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-death15aug15,1,2473376.story?coll=la-headlines-nation (" A spokeswoman for Gov. Rick Perry said he believed that the proposal deserved consideration and could be a way to "improve the criminal justice system.")

Do you really think the death penalty is appropriate in a case like this?

Gov. Perry has historically said (through his spokesmen) that he would sign a LWOP bill if it hit his desk, so I doubt the Patterson case will have much of an effect because Perry was not the impediment. The case certainly does not change the lay of the land in the House or Senate, where the bill's sponsors have been unable to garner sufficient support in both chambers during the same session. It will be interesting to see what happens next session, that's for sure ...

Well, perhaps we could start a new list: defendants serving life without parole who have injured or killed another while serving their sentence. (See article posted under Future Dangerousness thread).