Bush's intervention for Terry Schiavo opens old wounds in Texas where death penalty opponents say 'culture of life' rings hollow

The Smirking Chimp: "In Texas, critics question Bush's 'life' culture | Posted on Wednesday, March 23 @ 09:46:06 EST By Jeff Franks, Reuters

HOUSTON (Reuters) - President Bush's intervention for Terry Schiavo has opened old wounds in Texas where death penalty opponents say his words of support for a 'culture of life' ring hollow after so many executions during his time as governor of the state.

Bush said he stepped into the Schiavo case because the United States should have 'a presumption in favor of life,' but there were 152 executions in Texas during his administration, including some in which the convict's guilt was in doubt, critics said.

'It's hypocrisy at a thousand levels,' said University of Houston law professor and death penalty defense attorney David Dow.

'I saw many, many cases where there was substantial doubt about whether someone was guilty or whether the death penalty was the appropriate sentence, but he never said anything,' said David Atwood, head of the Texas Coalition Against the Death Penalty. 'I really can't say he cares about life.'"