With Jamal Howard’s execution scheduled for one week from tonight, a group that opposes the death penalty is working to stop the lethal injection of the man convicted of killing a Silsbee convenience store clerk in 2000.
Howard, now 46, was 20 in May 2000 when he shot and killed Vicki Swart inside the Silsbee convenience store where she worked. Investigators said Howard stole $114 and a carton of cigarettes.
Howard has remained on Texas death row for more than a quarter century. Opponents of the scheduled execution say Howard has intellectual disabilities and was diagnosed with mental health problems. Courts have ruled against appeals and upheld his conviction and death sentence.
Rev. Dr. Jeff Hood of the Execution Intervention Project said, “We have obviously tremendous, tremendous compassion for, Mr. Swartz family. But what I don’t have compassion for are politicians and law enforcement, the governor’s office, the attorney general’s office who have tried to convince this family that somehow killing Jamal is going to make them feel better. It is a lie. It is an absolute lie.”
Hood said he will attend the execution if it takes place to continue showing support for Howard’s family.