Texas Court Allows Execution of Inmate Convicted of 'Shaken Baby' Murder

Key Details

• The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has ruled that an inmate convicted of "shaken baby" murder can be executed.
• The inmate, John Hummel, was convicted in 2005 of killing his girlfriend's 9-month-old daughter.
• Hummel's attorneys argued that he was innocent and that the medical examiner who testified against him was biased.

Background

In 2001, Hummel's girlfriend, Jessica Tate, left her 9-month-old daughter, Haley, in his care while she went to work. When Tate returned home, she found Haley unresponsive. Haley was taken to the hospital, where she died two days later.

An autopsy revealed that Haley had died from blunt force trauma to the head. Hummel was arrested and charged with murder. At trial, the prosecution presented evidence that Hummel had shaken Haley violently, causing her fatal injuries.

Hummel's Conviction and Appeal

Hummel was convicted of murder in 2005 and sentenced to death. He appealed his conviction, arguing that the medical examiner who testified against him was biased and that the trial court had erred in admitting certain evidence.

The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals rejected Hummel's arguments and upheld his conviction and death sentence in 2008. Hummel then appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, which declined to review his case.

Recent Developments

In 2023, Hummel's attorneys filed a new motion for a stay of execution, arguing that new evidence had emerged that cast doubt on his guilt. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals denied the motion, and Hummel's execution is currently scheduled for March 22, 2023.

Conclusion

The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has ruled that an inmate convicted of "shaken baby" murder can be executed. The inmate, John Hummel, has maintained his innocence, but his appeals have been unsuccessful. Hummel's execution is currently scheduled for March 22, 2023.