BASTROP COUNTY, Texas — Just two weeks before Rodney Reed is set to be executed for the 1996 murder of 19-year-old Stacey Stites in Bastrop County, a petition to get him freed has reached 1.8 million signatures.
The petition, which was released on FreeRodneyReed.com, has been shared by artists like Rihanna, T.I. and Meek Mill. Meanwhile, other celebrities like Kim Kardashian-West and Dr. Phil have also thrust Reed's case back into the spotlight.
This all comes as a bipartisan group of Texas lawmakers asked Gov. Greg Abbott this week to grant Reed a reprieve. Representatives whose signatures included on the letter are:
- Senfronia Thompson
- Garnet Coleman
- Todd Hunter
- Tan Parker
- James White
- Joe Moody
- Matt Krause
- Mary Gonzalez
- Nicole Collier
- Drew Springer
- Jeff Leach
- Giovanni Capriglione
- Toni Rose
- James Frank
- Kyle Kacal
- Dade Phelan
- Ina Minjarez
- Victoria Neave
- Briscoe Cain
- Gina Hinojosa
- Steve Toth
- John Bucy
- Brad Buckley
- Jessica Gonzalez
- Erin Zwiener
- Vikki Goodwin
U.S. Representative Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) spoke in Houston Sunday, also saying Reed should not be executed and asking Gov. Abbott to postpone the execution and allow Reed to have another trial.
"He has the power to give this reprieve, to be able to allow the attorneys to make the case that this gentleman should have a new trial. What is the loss? What is the challenge to not have the truth be told," Rep. Lee said. "In the justice system, we must err on the side of determining if someone is innocent or guilty when they receive the ultimate penalty."
Also on the list of people who believe Reed may not have committed the crime include leaders of the Christian faith. On Tuesday, Bishop Joe S. Vasquez of the Diocese of Austin pleaded for his execution to be halted. And, last week, a group of Texas pastors gathered at a local church to ask Gov. Abbott to halt the execution.
Gov. Abbott has not made public statements to the media since the recent outpouring has been heading his direction.
RELATED:
Texas lawmakers ask Gov. Greg Abbott to stop execution of Rodney Reed, whose guilt is widely doubted
Despite the mounting pressure, prosecutors have stood by their case, verdict and evidence presented in trial. Additionally, numerous appeals courts have supported the State of Texas in some way either by upholding the verdict, turning down multiple requests for a new trial or consideration of new evidence, or refusing to halt his execution. Even the U.S. Supreme Court has chosen not to review his case.
As KVUE continues to cover Reed's story, you can stay tuned through our new podcast, "Texas Crime Files," which will feature four episodes specifically highlighting his case. It is available on YouTube and wherever podcasts are consumed.
You can listen to Episode 1 here:
You can listen to Episode 2 here:
MORE KVUE RODNEY REED COVERAGE:
- EU joins call to stop execution of Rodney Reed, Bastrop man convicted of murder
- Death row inmate Rodney Reed maintains innocence weeks before execution: 'They're going to be executing an innocent man'
- New Rodney Reed witness claims fiance bragged about murder
- Texas representative, law enforcement join forces in Rodney Reed case
- Rodney Reed case: New witness reportedly says fiance knew Stacy Stites was having affair
- Sen. Kirk Watson joins growing effort to stop Rodney Reed’s execution
- Innocence Project pens 14-page letter to Gov. Abbott, believes new information is enough to grant 30-day reprieve for Rodney Reed
- Kim Kardashian West asks Gov. Abbott to intervene in scheduled execution of Rodney Reed
- Dr. Phil examines new theories in Rodney Reed case
- Innocence Project files petition for U.S. Supreme Court to hear Rodney Reed's death row case
- Rodney Reed's family holds rally, asks for re-trial