One of the big skeletons in Perry's closet is the wrongful execution of Cameron Todd Wilingham in 2004. Convicted of murdering his three children by arson in 1991 he was executed despite overwhelming evidence of gross misconduct by the arson investigator. With the report in hand from one of the nations top fire scientist indicating that Todd was convicted on junk science, Perry denied a stay of execution.
If you have never read it, I implore you to check out this outstanding piece of journalism by David Grann in the New Yorker. Bring a box of tissues, you will weep at the injustice.
Since 2004 Perry has been actively covering up his crime. More after the jump
In 2009 just days before the Texas Forensic Science Commission was to hold hearings on the Wilingham case Perry replaced the chairman and two committee members with political allies.
The new chairman tried to stop the investigation but it continued nonetheless.
Kay Bailey Hutchinson considered using the coverup against Perry in the 2010 campaign, but focus groups showed that some people thought "It takes balls to execute an innocent man"
Bringing us to the present. The commission is still trying to do its work but:
Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott ruled Friday that the Texas Forensic Science Commission has no authority to review two arson investigations that helped send Corsicana auto mechanic Cameron Todd Willingham to his execution
Read more: http://www.chron.com/...
So the sad saga continues. Many believe that Wilingham his the first provable case of an innocent man being executed. Perry's cold and callous stance on this case makes me sick to my stomach. I want more people to know about this case and Perry's roll in it.