Kim Kardashian visits Texas death row prisoner Rodney Reed

Brittani Smith chants during a protest against the execution of Rodney Reed on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019, in Bastrop, Texas. Protesters rallied in support of Reed’s campaign to stop his scheduled Nov. 20 execution for the 1996 killing of a 19-year-old Stacy Stites. New evidence in the case has led a growing number of Texas legislators, religious leaders and celebrities to press Gov. Greg Abbott to intervene. (Nick Wagner/Austin American-Statesman via AP) less Brittani Smith chants during a protest against the execution of Rodney Reed on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019, in Bastrop, Texas. Protesters rallied in support of Reed’s campaign to stop his scheduled Nov. 20 ... more Photo: Nick Wagner, Associated Press Photo: Nick Wagner, Associated Press Image 1 of / 29 Caption Close Kim Kardashian visits Texas death row prisoner Rodney Reed 1 / 29 Back to Gallery

The same day high-profile death row prisoner Rodney Reed won a stay from the state's highest criminal appeals court, he got a visit from his one of his most famous supporters: Kim Kardashian West.

For two hours, the celeb sat with the condemned prisoner and his legal team at the Polunksy Unit in Livingston, Reed's lawyers confirmed Friday afternoon. In recent weeks, Kardashian has repeatedly pushed for clemency in a case that's sparked national interest amid doubts about the 51-year-old's guilt.

"How can you execute a man when since his trial, substantial evidence that would exonerate Rodney Reed has come forward and even implicates the other person of interest," Kardashian tweeted at Governor Greg Abbott last month. "I URGE YOU TO DO THE RIGHT THING."

Reed was scheduled for execution Nov. 20, but got two possible reprieves Friday. First, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles made a rare recommendation for a 120-day stay, a move that would have still required the governor's approval in order to take effect. Hours later, the court granted him an indefinite stay to investigate his claims of innocence and allegations of false testimony and withheld evidence.

"We are extremely relieved and thankful that the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has issued a stay of execution for our client Rodney Reed," defense attorney Bryce Benjet said in a statement. "This opportunity will allow for proper consideration of the powerful and mounting new evidence of Mr. Reed’s innocence."

ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: Amid rare bipartisan outcry, Rodney Reed gets stay of execution

The California native was sent to death row in 1998 after an all-white jury convicted him of murdering Stacey Stites, a white woman. Her body was found dumped on a Bastrop County road on April 23, 1996. Prosecutors said he'd raped and strangled her, but Reed has always maintained his innocence.

After a local judge earlier this year approved setting his November execution date, Reed started garnering a cadre of high-profile supporters backing his quest for a stay, including celebrities like Kardashian, state legislators on both sides of the aisle, and at least one district attorney.

On Friday, while Kardashian visited the rural Texas prison, her husband Kanye paid a visit to the Harris County Jail where he played a free concert for two groups of inmates. He's scheduled to speak at Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church on Sunday morning, and perform there with his choir that evening.

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