Texas Legislators' Clemency Letter For Jeff Wood

Texas House of Representatives

August 12, 2008

Ms. Rissie Owens Chair Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles Members of the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles Executive Clemency Section 8610 Shoal Creek Boulevard Austin, Texas 78757 Dear Chairwoman Owens and Board Members: We are writing to urge the Board to recommend commuting Jeffrey Wood's death sentence to a life sentence. Further, we hope that Governor Peny would act favorably on such a recommendation. As we are certain you are aware, Mr. Wood is set to be executed on August 21,2008. Mr. Wood was convicted of capital murder under the Texas Law of Parties. It appears evident that he neither killed, nor anticipated that Daniel Earl Reneau would kill, Kris Keeran. He did not anticipate that a murder would occur and was not in the store when the murder took place. The shooter, Danny Reneau, has already been executed for this crime. When asked on death row to identify the shooter, Reneau had a oneword reply, "Me." This case is similar to the case of Kenneth Foster, whose death sentence under the Law of Parties was commuted by Govemor Perry in 2007. While Jeffrey Wood deserves to be imprisoned for his participation in the robbery, he should not be executed. We find the facts of his case, as well as the application of the Law of Parties, to be particularly bothersome.

Ms. Rissie Owens Members of the Board of Pardons and Paroles August 12,2008 Page Two The death penalty is supposed to be reserved for the worst of the worst. It seems clear to us that Jeffrey Wood is not a man for whom the death penalty should be applied. We respectfully request that clemency be granted.

Thank you very much for your consideration. Sincerely,

Rep. Elliott Naishtat District 49

Rep. Donna Howard District 48

Rep. Alma Allen District 131

Rep. Sylvester Tumer District 139

Rep. Harold Dutton District 142 cc:

The Honorable Rick Perry Governor of Texas State Capitol 2S.1

Rep. Lon Burnam District 90

~ eRuth i Jones ~ c ~ l e n d o n District 120

Rep. Eddie Rodriguez District 51

Rep. Jessica Farrar District 148

Rep. Mark Strama District 50