Garcia White has lived on death row for 28 years
By Brant Bingamon, 11:16AM, Thu. Sep. 26, 2024
The Texas prison system is facing scrutiny as it prepares to execute 60-year-old Garcia White on October 1, marking a grim milestone in the state’s long history with capital punishment. White has spent nearly three decades on death row, a stark reminder of the era in the 1990s when the death penalty was a favored option among juries. His case encapsulates the complexities and controversies surrounding the justice system, particularly regarding the treatment of individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Garcia White was sentenced to death in 1996 for the brutal murders of Bonita Edwards and her twin daughters, Bernette and Annette. The details of the crime are harrowing, and the emotional weight of the case has reverberated through the community for decades. However, the focus has shifted over the years from the crime itself to the legal battles that have ensued since White’s conviction. His journey through the legal system has been fraught with challenges, as he has lodged a series of appeals in an attempt to overturn his death sentence.
In 2014, White’s attorney, Patrick McCann, successfully halted an impending execution just a day before it was scheduled to take place. McCann’s argument centered on the admissibility of White’s videotaped confession, which he claimed was obtained under questionable circumstances. Specifically, he alleged that a Houston detective had manipulated White’s intellectual disability, denying him the right to have an attorney present during the interrogation. Despite these claims, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals rejected the appeal in 2016, leaving White’s fate in limbo.
The issue of intellectual disability has resurfaced in recent months as McCann filed another motion in August, arguing that White’s cognitive limitations should render him ineligible for the death penalty. He presented evidence from White’s IQ tests, highlighting significant deficits in various areas, including decision-making, daily living skills, and understanding safety rules. McCann’s assertion was clear: White’s intellectual challenges should be considered in the context of his punishment. “Deficits were shown in the area of school, daily living, decision making, handling of money, and being able to understand and follow rules, including rules for safety at even simple jobs,” he wrote in his motion.
Despite these compelling arguments, the Court of Criminal Appeals dismissed McCann’s claims in a written order on September 18, leaving White’s execution on the horizon. If the execution proceeds as planned, White will become the fifth person executed in Texas this year, a statistic that raises questions about the racial disparities in capital punishment. Notably, four of the five individuals executed this year have been Black or Hispanic, prompting discussions about systemic biases within the justice system.
The case of Garcia White is emblematic of broader issues within the American legal framework, particularly concerning the death penalty and its application to individuals with intellectual disabilities. As the clock ticks down to his scheduled execution, advocates for criminal justice reform are calling for a reevaluation of the policies that govern capital punishment, especially in light of the potential for wrongful convictions and the ethical implications of executing individuals who may not fully comprehend their actions or the consequences of their sentences.
As the community grapples with the implications of White’s impending execution, the conversation surrounding the death penalty continues to evolve. The complexities of his case serve as a poignant reminder of the human lives affected by the legal system, and the ongoing debates about morality, justice, and the very nature of punishment in society.