Texas does not forbid the execution of the mentally...

Texas does not forbid the execution of the mentally retarded or juvenile offenders and does not have life without parole. A jury decides the sentence. The Governor needs a favorable recommendation from the Board of Pardons and Paroles in order to be able to grant clemency. The Governor is not obligated to follow the recommendation of the Board. The Governor also has the power to grant a thirty day reprieve. Governor signed a bill that provides better representation of indigent defense but refused to sign a bill that abolish death penalty on mentally retarded.Number of executions decreased from 40 in 2000 to 17 in 2001.