In 1995, Mexican citizen Humberto Leal Jr. was convicted of the rape and murder of a 16 year-old girl and sentenced to death by a Texas jury. Just last week, the day scheduled for his lethal injection finally arrived. Despite pleas from the Obama administration, and objection from the global community, the death penalty was carried out as planned. The controversy surrounding the case was that Leal, as a Mexican citizen, was not informed of his right to seek assistance from the consulate. The execution was noted as violating international treaties and potentially endangering Texans (and Americans) abroad. John B. Bellinger III, a former Bush administration State Department lawyer stated that we did "not comply with our obligations under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations and the U.N. Charter."
Texas's stance on the death penalty has always been controversial, but with a Mexican citizen involved this case received international attention. Not only does this force Texas to reflect on its policy, but places the spotlight on Governor Rick Perry, who could have granted a 30 day stay on the execution. With an expectation to announce his intentions of a presidential run in the next couple of months, Perry may face some political fallout as a result of Leal's execution. Leal's lawyer, Sandra Babcock, said that "Perry needs to start looking at, 'what are the countries' interests in this case?' not just what are Texas's interests." However, disapproval from foreign dignitaries could actually be a positive for Perry in the Republican primaries, notes political pundit Harvey Kronberg, publisher of The Quorum Report.
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