Texas executed a Mexican Wednesday, for murdering a policeman, despite strong protests from the U.S. and Mexican governments.
Edgar Tamayo, 46, was convicted of murdering a police officer Guy Gaddis, 24, in 1994 after he was arrested for robbery. Prior to the crime he was staying illegally in the U.S.
The Mexico government protested his execution as they said that Tamayo was not informed of his right to access to the Mexican consulate under the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations provision, after his arrest. Tamayo's lawyers said that the death sentence could have been avoided if he had got consular assistance, reported BBC.
"If the execution of Edgar Tamayo takes place without his case being reviewed and his sentence reconsidered," it would be a "clear violation of the United States' international obligations," the Mexican government said.
Furthermore, John Kerry, U.S. Secretary of State, appealed to the Texas government to delay the execution so that Tamayo's Vienna Convention rights could be reviewed. He also said that the case could affect Americans' ability to seek consular assistance in other countries. The lawyers of the accused also sought a last-minute stay of the execution from the U.S. Supreme Court but their request was declined Wednesday night.
Texas executed Tamayo by lethal injection at 21.32 local time. He was declared dead after 17 minutes, authorities said, reported The Wall Street Journal.
The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles rejected Tamayo's request for mercy, Tuesday. "It doesn't matter where you're from, if you commit a despicable crime like this in Texas, you are subject to our state laws, including a fair trial by jury and the ultimate penalty," said Lucy Nashed, a spokeswoman for Republican Gov. Rick Perry, reported the Associated Press.
Before injecting him with the lethal injection, a warden asked Tamayo whether he had anything to say. He mumbled "no" shaking his head.
Maurie Levin, Tamayo's lawyer, said he would have received proper help from the Mexican diplomats had he been informed about it at the time of arrest. Also, it would have been easier for him to obtain evidence from Mexico that he earlier suffered brain damage and was mentally impaired. This would have resulted in lesser punishment.
"It's no mean feat to find school records and other evidence in Mexico," Levin said. "The Mexican consulate would have provided essential assistance."
Texas is known to execute more number of criminals than any other state in the U.S. Last year, 16 people were executed in the state.
According to a Mexican embassy spokesman, Texas executed two other Mexicans who were denied their consular rights. And there are 12 Mexicans on death row in Texas who alleged they did not receive timely consular visits.
