The Government goes to bat for Linda Carty, the British woman on death row in Texas

This week the British Government filed an amicus (friend of the court) brief in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans, in the case of Linda Carty, the British woman sentenced to death in Texas. Linda’s conviction and sentence were fatally flawed, as her court-appointed lawyer did very little to defend her – he is responsible for more people on death row than any other lawyer in America.

The Government argues that the US failure to notify Britain of her arrest and impending trial, as required by the bilateral treaty between the two countries, very likely contributed to her death sentence. The brief notes that a long standing relationship between the Foreign Office and Reprieve has resulted in no British national receiving a death sentence in the US where notification has been given in time for Reprieve to lend assistance at the trial level.

“It is admirable that the Government has filed this brief on Linda’s behalf,” said Clive Stafford Smith, Director of Reprieve. “Linda’s plight is very serious – Texas is dedicated to the death penalty, and she could face execution as early as next year. I suspect she needs the help of her government more than any other British citizen right now.”

For further information, please contact Katherine O’Shea at Reprieve’s Press Office katherine.oshea@reprieve.org.uk / 020 7427 1099.

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Website: www.reprieve.org.uk

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