On Aug. 30, Kenneth Foster, an African American man on death row since 1997, learned that Gov. Rick Perry had
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It was a major victory for Foster, his family and the movement to stop the racist death penalty.
Foster’s case generated wide publicity for the circumstances of his unjust sentence. He was not sentenced to death for killing someone. He was sentenced to death under the “Law of Parties,” a Texas law that makes a person equally liable as the one who actually commits a murder.
In 1996, Foster was the getaway driver in a string of robberies. The last attempt ended in the death of a law student, Michael LaHood. Foster did not shoot LaHood. He did not plan LaHood’s death.
The government of Texas—after carrying out over 400 executions since 1982—did not suddenly become rational. Gov. Perry, an ardent right-winger, did not have a change of heart.
Foster’s execution was called off due to the broad campaign for justice led by supporters and his family. The struggle is not over yet, however. Supporters have said they will continue to demand freedom for Foster.
