KUT Morning Newspod September 16, 2011
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Supreme Court Delays Texas Execution Over Racial Testimony
The U.S. Supreme Court has halted the execution of Duane Buck, who was set to die in Texas Thursday night. Buck’s lawyers argue he was sentenced to death on the basis of inflammatory testimony. Buck was given the death penalty for the murders of Debra Gardner and Kenneth Butler in 1995.
Whether he’s guilty of that crime is not at issue. Buck’s lawyers argue the sentencing phase of his trial was tainted by racially biased testimony from a witness for the prosecution. A psychologist testified Buck was more likely to be a danger in the future because he’s African-American.
Thursday’s Supreme Court order delays his execution while the court considers an appeal. Lawyers had also requested a temporary stay from Governor Rick Perry.
Bastrop Bears Rise Above the Ashes
The Bastrop High School football team gave its community something to cheer about Thursday night. The Bastrop Bears beat San Marcos 48-23. Some of the football players lost their homes in the wildfires that scorched over 34,000 acres in Bastrop County.
Some Downtown Streets Closed for ACL
Roads are already closed in and around Zilker Park for the Austin City Limits Music Festival. Barton Springs Road is closed from Robert E. Lee to Rollingwood Drive near Mopac. Drivers can expect delays around the park and throughout downtown through Sunday. You can find more road closure information and details about shuttle buses to the festival here.
Over the past decade, ACL fest has become Austin’s biggest music event after South-by-Southwest. On today’s Newspod, Texas Music Matters’ David Brown takes a look at how this Austin tradition came about.
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