Episode 19 - State of Texas v. Henry Watkins Skinner: Justice Delayed Too Long

Based in Fact

In Episode 19, Kyle and Lisa talked about State of Texas v. Henry Watkins "Hank" Skinner. In 1995, Skinner was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to death for the December 31, 1993 murders of his girlfriend, Twila Busby and her sons, Randy Busby and Elwin Caler in Pampa, Gray County, Texas. Skinner has admitted that he was in the house when the murders occurred and he was the only member of the household to walk away that New Year’s morning. Early DNA testing linked Twila and Elwin to the blood soaked clothing Skinner was wearing when arrested. In 2001, he began pursuing DNA testing in the Texas courts. After his second request was denied in 2009, he sought relief under 42 U.S.C. §1983 in federal court, pursuing his claim all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. In Part 1, Lyle and Lisa talk about the evidence against Skinner, his direct appeal and post-conviction claims in state and federal court. Finally, they talked about the impact of Skinner v. Switzer on Skinner’s case and his pursuit of DNA testing in state court.