Skip to Content

Kim Kardashian pleads for clemency for Texas death row inmate set to be executed next month

Kim Kardashian is joining the fight to save a Texas death row inmate set to be executed next month.

The reality-star-turned-criminal-justice-reform-advocate questioned Texas Gov. Greg Abbott over the weekend about the upcoming execution of Rodney Reed.

“PLEASE @GovAbbott How can you execute a man when since his trial, substantial evidence that would exonerate Rodney Reed has come forward and even implicates the other person of interest. I URGE YOU TO DO THE RIGHT THING,” she tweeted.

PLEASE @GovAbbott How can you execute a man when since his trial, substantial evidence that would exonerate Rodney Reed has come forward and even implicates the other person of interest. I URGE YOU TO DO THE RIGHT THING.

— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) October 19, 2019

Reed has spent over 21 years on death row for the 1996 murder of Stacey Stites in Bastrop. Police say Reed assaulted, raped and strangled Stites, but he insists he’s innocent.

Reed is set to be executed on Nov. 20.

Before tweeting her support for Reed, Kardashian West said she had been watching “Just Mercy,” an upcoming film based on attorney and social justice activist Bryan Stevenson’s memoir and his journey appealing the wrongful conviction of Walter McMillian, a man who had been serving time for murder.

Reed’s attorneys filed a motion earlier this month asking the Bastrop County District Court to withdraw his execution date as they need more time to review claims from two new witnesses who recently came forward.

It’s not the first time that questions have been raised around Reed’s murder conviction.

His legal team has fought for years to get a new trial and a court stayed his execution in 2015 because of new witness testimony and forensic analysis. The court eventually ruled against Reed, which led prosecutors to seek a new execution date.

The reality star has become a criminal justice reform advocate. She has been working with lawyers and activists in a national bipartisan advocacy group for criminal justice reform. Since 2018, she has helped commute the sentences of more than a dozen inmates whom she believes were unfairly sentenced.

She has also been working on a documentary focused on prison reform.

In April, the 38-year-old announced she is studying to become a lawyer so she can be better informed while advocating for reforms to the U.S. justice system.

Article Topic Follows: News

Jump to comments ↓

Author Profile Photo

KVIA ABC-7

BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION

KVIA ABC 7 is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation.

Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here

If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here.