Protesters call on Gov. Abbott to stop Arthur Brown’s execution

Houston, Texas – Protesters are calling on Gov. Greg Abbott to stop the execution of Arthur Brown. He is to be executed on Thursday, March 9th.

Brown has been on death row for 30 years on charges of killing four people in Houston in 1992. In this case, Brown and two other men entered the drug den, tied up and shot six people. Two survived.

Death Penalty Action are pushing for more evidence to be heard.

“I don’t think we should execute anyone, regardless of guilt, innocence, mental illness, full capacity,” said Allie Sullivan, Brown’s girlfriend.

The protesters say Brown is innocent, and the courts are not hearing new evidence.

“Prosecutors should turn over evidence that can help the defendant, they should turn it over so they can use it in the defense, and they didn’t. There is DNA to test, and there are eyewitnesses who have seen other people. committing a crime,” said Abraham Bonowitz, executive director of Death Penalty Action.

The group attempted to deliver a petition to the governor’s office asking them to stop the execution, but were unable to get inside.

Sullivan says she has been friends with Brown for eight to nine months and knows a different side of him than previously portrayed.

“I didn’t think that someone who cares so much about the well-being of other people is capable of committing such a heinous murder,” she said.

She says that he recently sent her a note.

“He said, ‘No matter what, I hope that the lawyers’ efforts will put an end to this latest attempt to destroy my identity,'” she said.

Brown maintained his innocence.

“None of us wants to be executed by an innocent person,” Bonowitz said. “It’s not for me to decide if he’s innocent, but I think the evidence should be considered.”

Sullivan also urges Governor Abbott to go to death row and meet with the prisoners.

“After you get to know them and hopefully befriend them, then go to the execution chamber and stand next to them while they are being killed, because I can guarantee you that if you do, he will never execute another person,” she said.

Gov. Abbott’s office did not respond to our request for comment.