The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear the case of Ruben Gutierrez, a Texas man on death row, who has been fighting for DNA testing to prove his innocence in the 1998 murder of an 85-year-old woman during a home robbery. The decision to hear his case came after the justices stayed his execution just 20 minutes before it was set to take place.
Gutierrez was convicted of the killing of Escolastica Harrison in Brownsville, Texas, based on evidence that prosecutors argue connects him to the crime. However, Gutierrez’s lawyers have long argued that DNA testing on key pieces of evidence like nail scrapings and blood samples would exonerate him. They claim that there is no physical or forensic evidence tying Gutierrez to the murder.
Prosecutors, on the other hand, believe that Gutierrez’s request for DNA testing is simply a delay tactic and that his conviction is based on other evidence, including a confession in which he admitted involvement in the robbery. Gutierrez was also convicted under Texas’ law of parties, which holds individuals responsible for the actions of others if they assist or encourage a crime.
Gutierrez’s attorney, Shawn Nolan, expressed relief at the Supreme Court’s decision to hear the case, stating that it brings them closer to overturning Gutierrez’s wrongful conviction and death sentence. Despite facing several previous execution dates that were delayed, Gutierrez remains hopeful that the DNA testing will finally prove his innocence.
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