Rodney Reed’s Family Demands Justice 25 Years after Sentencing

The Reed family, along with their supporters, held a rally in Austin, Texas, on the 25th anniversary of Rodney Reed’s death sentence. Reed was convicted of Stacey Stites’ murder in Bastrop County in 1998. His family is calling for justice in his case.

Sandra Reed, Rodney’s mother, stated during their rally, “We the Reed family are all waiting for justice for Rodney. Remember, no justice, no peace. We will continue to fight, because justice for one is justice for all.” Rodney’s brother, Rodrick Reed, added, “For 25 years, my family has not been whole. My mom has not had a good night’s sleep. What mother could, when they know they’re trying to execute their child? What brother could?”

Reed’s execution was scheduled for 2019, but the courts postponed it. The case is now back in the appeals court after a lot of legal wrangling. The U.S. Supreme Court recently permitted Reed to seek DNA testing on evidence that his defense attorneys have argued would help free him from this conviction.

Rodrick expressed that Reed is “hopeful, he’s very thankful that God has answered his prayers, the Supreme Court has given us an opportunity to let these people do the right thing.” Moreover, Reed is waiting for the Court of Criminal Appeals’ decision after a hearing in Bastrop County examining if new evidence merits a fresh trial.

Reed has always maintained his innocence. Speaking to FOX 7 in 2015, he proclaimed, “All of this evidence has been out there this whole time. And then when you have the Attorney General’s office, the Texas Rangers and the Bastrop Police and Sheriff’s Department, these different agencies with unlimited resources, the prosecution, the DA’s office, there’s all this evidence actually existed then. It’s just that they wasn’t the one to find it or be more forthcoming with it.”

For his family, it’s been a decades-long waiting game. However, they remain optimistic that the truth will emerge soon. Rodrick maintained, “How much longer should we have to wait? How much longer should we have to suffer? When the truth is out there, why aren’t they testing it?”