Narrative Opinion Summary
The case concerns the execution of Lester Leroy Bower, Jr., who was sentenced to death for capital murder. Following his conviction in May 1984, Bower's conviction was affirmed by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, and subsequent habeas corpus petitions were denied, culminating in the denial of writ of certiorari by the Supreme Court of the United States on May 23, 2015. This denial resulted in the automatic termination of his stay of execution. The District Court of Grayson County issued a death warrant on March 25, 2015, and Bower was executed on June 3, 2015, through intravenous lethal injection at the Huntsville Unit in accordance with Texas law. The execution was confirmed by a compliance certificate from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Additionally, the handling of Bower's remains was conducted in accordance with Article 43.23 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, being entrusted to Carnes Funeral Home for the requesting relative. The procedural history underscores the adherence to legal protocols in carrying out the capital sentence, as documented and certified by the relevant judicial and correctional authorities.
Legal Issues Addressed
Denial of Habeas Corpus Reliefsubscribe to see similar legal issues
Application: Lester Leroy Bower, Jr.'s various habeas corpus petitions were denied by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, culminating in the Supreme Court's denial of writ of certiorari.
Reasoning: The Supreme Court of the United States denied writ of certiorari for case number 14-292 on May 23, 2015, resulting in the automatic termination of the stay of execution for Lester Leroy Bower, Jr.
Execution Procedure Compliance under Texas Lawsubscribe to see similar legal issues
Application: The execution of Lester Leroy Bower, Jr. was carried out in accordance with Texas law, as confirmed by the TDCJ's Return of the Director and compliance certificate.
Reasoning: The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) provided a Return of the Director and a compliance certificate confirming the execution was conducted per Texas law at the Huntsville Unit through intravenous lethal injection at 6:30 p.m. on the execution date.
Issuance of Death Warrantsubscribe to see similar legal issues
Application: A death warrant was issued to the Sheriff of Grayson County, directing the execution of the death sentence in compliance with Texas law.
Reasoning: The court also mandated the issuance of a Death Warrant to the Sheriff of Grayson County, directing him to deliver this warrant to the Director of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
Transfer of Remains under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 43.23subscribe to see similar legal issues
Application: The remains of Lester Leroy Bower, Jr. were handled in compliance with Article 43.23, being entrusted to a funeral home for the requesting relative.
Reasoning: The remains were entrusted to Carnes Funeral Home for the requesting relative, complying with Article 43.23 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.