USA - Texas executed José E. Medellín

Texas executed José E. Medellín. The execution came just before 10 p.m. Central time, shortly after the United States Supreme Court denied a last request for a reprieve. Medellín and 5 other teenage boys in his street gang took part in the rape and murder of two girls, Elizabeth Pena, 16, and Jennifer Ertman, 14. Medellín’s case has become the focal point of a dispute between Mexico and the United States over whether some Mexicans have been denied fair trials because they were never given an opportunity to talk to a consul. A 1963 treaty requires foreigners accused of crimes to be given that opportunity. Over the last 5 days, Medellín’s lawyers tried to stop the execution by arguing to the Supreme Court that it should be put off until Congress had a chance to pass pending legislation that would require a review of similar cases. But the court, in a 5-to-4 decision, said the possibility of Congressional action was too remote to justify a stay. Justice Stephen G. Breyer wrote in dissent that to permit the execution would place the United States "irremediably in violation of international law and breaks our treaty promises." Moments after the execution, Mexico sent a formal diplomatic protest to Washington. The statement from Mexico's Foreign Relations Department said it was "concerned for the precedent that (the execution) may create for the rights of Mexican nationals who may be detained in that country." Medellin becomes the 5th condemned inmate to be put to death this year in Texas and the 410th overall since the state resumed capital punishment on December 7, 1982. Medellin becomes the 17th condemned inmate to be put to death this year in the USA and the 1116th overall since the nation resumed executions on January 17, 1977.