Texas Executes Black Woman Amid Racism and Anti-Death Penalty Protests

According to court documents, McCarthy called Booth’s house on July, 21, 1997 and asked to borrow a cup of sugar. Booth readily agreed that McCarthy could come over to her house and retrieve the sugar. When McCarthy arrived, prosecutors alleged that she was armed with a butcher knife and proceeded to stab Booth five times. Booth was additionally beaten with a candelabrum, according to court documents.

Booth’s left ring finger was also cut off so that her wedding ring could be robbed. McCarthy then stole Booth’s purse, which contained credit cards and the keys to Booth’s Mercedes-Benz. Evidence also suggested that McCarthy drove Booth’s car to a liquor store where she used the credit cards to make purchases.

Also, prosecutors alleged that the wedding ring was pawned by McCarthy so that she could buy crack cocaine. Booth’s DNA was later found on the murder weapon at McCarthy’s home.

McCarthy always maintained her innocence and alleged that a violent drug dealer committed the crimes. However, there was not enough strong evidence admitted in court to support McCarthy’s version of events.

McCarthy’s death  is the 500th execution carried out by Texas since the state reinstated its death penalty in 1982. She is also only the fourth woman to be executed in Texas since 1976. Her death has been widely protested by anti-death penalty advocates and supporters who contend that Texas uses extreme racial disparities in sentencing black inmates to death row. An overwhelming amount of data supports such contentions.

Article Appeared @http://www.blackbluedog.com/2013/06/news/texas-executes-black-woman-amid-racism-and-anti-death-penalty-protests/

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