Promoting a fair and just criminal justice system in Texas

Duane Buck Case Information

UPDATE - 01/09/2012: The U.S. Supreme Denies Duane Buck's Petition for Rehearing

“We are disappointed that the U.S. Supreme Court has for now declined to review Duane Buck’s case and will not be considering whether the reliance on Mr. Buck’s race as a basis for asking the jury to sentence him to death violated the Constitution. It is now up to the State of Texas to ensure that Mr. Buck receives a sentencing hearing that is not impacted by the color of his skin.”

 -- Kate Black, Counsel for Duane Buck

• Petition for Writ of Certiorari 
  
• Writ of Habeas Corpus Filed in U.S. Supreme Court
  
• Motion for Stay of Execution in U.S. Supreme Court
  
• U.S. Supreme Court Order Staying Execution
  
• Media Coverage of U.S. Supreme Court Stay
  
• More than 60 Civil Rights and Faith Leaders, Elected Officials, Former Prosecutors, and Past ABA Presidents Call On Harris County D.A. To Provide Remedy in Case of Duane Buck
• Harris County Death Penalties Show Racial Pattern
  
• U.S. Supreme Court Order Denying Petition for Writ of Certiorari
  
• Media Coverage of U.S. Supreme Court Denial of Certiorari Petition
  
• Petition for Rehearing Filed in U.S. Supreme Court
• Order Denying Petition for Rehearing
  

Clemency Efforts

“As I explained in a filing before the United Sates Supreme Court...it is inappropriate to allow race to be considered as a factor in our criminal justice system...[T]he United State Supreme Court agreed. The people of Texas want and deserve a system that affords the same fairness to everyone.”

 -- Texas Attorney General John Cornyn, June 2000

• Case Summary
  
• Clemency Petition
  
• Former Buck Prosecutor Linda Geffin asking for intervention on behalf of Duane Buck
  
• Media Coverage of Clemency Efforts
  
• Video of Surviving Victim, Phyllis Taylor