The ruling Monday from the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals to spare Melissa Lucio’s life so her case can be reviewed in a way that affords her a fair defense, with the full airing of evidence available, was the right one and a victory for justice.
For 15 years, we have opposed the death penalty in Texas because the state’s history of exercising this power has been rife with error. There is a strong likelihood that innocent lives have been taken in the name of the people.
Yet, despite this standing opposition, we do not write in every case when a person faces the death sentence.
