Thomas Arthur has been on death row, accused of murder, for over 25 years. He says he didn't do it. His daughter says he didn't do it. And DNA tests could prove he didn't do it. But the State of Alabama won't allow it. Though a stay is now in effect over other issues, DNA testing needs to be done. With a judge and former prosecutor facing conviction in Texas for interfering with evidence and DNA testing that later proved Michael Morton's innocence, it's unforgivable that Alabama would even consider doing the same. Since Arthur's conviction, another man has confessed to the crime, and other irregularities in the case have surfaced, according to the Innocence Project. Both the prosecution and defense agree they have evidence worn by the perpetrator of the crime, and Arthur's lawyers want that evidence retested with advanced DNA technology. The defense has offered to pay for the testing, and Alabama should allow it. Tell Governor Bentley to allow the DNA testing that could save Arthur's life.

We, the undersigned, are outraged to hear Alabama would block DNA Tests that could prove the innocence of Thomas Arthur and save him from execution.



This action is especially egregious considering the outcome of a recent case in Texas where judge and former prosecutor Ken Anderson worked to block, for six years, DNA testing that proved the innocence of Michael Morton, who spent 25 years in jail for a crime he did not commit!



Ken Anderson is now under investigation, himself, for criminal activity, and if Alabama continues to block the testing that could prove Thomas Arthur's innocence, Alabama should be put under the same legal scrutiny.



With Arthur's Defense willing to pay for the testing, Alabama has even less justification for denying this DNA testing.



Even more disturbing is this information from Equal Justice Initiative:

Unlike every other state in the country that uses the death penalty, Alabama does not provide legal assistance to death row inmates to challenge the inadequate representation they received at trial or other aspects of their conviction or sentence in post-conviction proceedings.

http://www.eji.org/eji/deathpenalty/inadequatecounsel



This is not a game, and it should not be about power. This is about a man's life. You must not take it without giving him any and every available opportunity to prove his innocence. You must do the right thing.



We request that you do. Allow this DNA Testing to go forward and stay Arthur's execution at least until the testing can be done and the results properly analyzed.



Thank you for your urgent attention to this life-and-death matter.