Amnesty International sent letters to the Oklahoma...

Amnesty International sent letters to the Oklahoma Attorney General, Drew Edmonson and the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board urging them to demonstrate their respect for justice and human life by recommending clemency for Osvaldo Torres to Governor Henry at their meeting on May 7, 2004. Torres, a potentially innocent Mexican national on death row in Oklahoma was scheduled to be executed on May 18, 2004. In the letters, Dr. William F. Schulz, executive director, Amnesty International USA wrote, "(I)t is deeply troubling that Oklahoma plans to execute Mr. Torres despite the fact that he did not actually kill anyone. The prosecution has never alleged that Mr. Torres committed the two murders for which he now faces imminent execution, arguing instead that he 'aided and abetted' the actual gunman." Even if the Board recommended clemency, it would not guarantee that Torres' life will be saved. Oklahoma Governor, Brad Henry had frequently allowed executions to continue regardless of the Board's recommendations.