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Texas inmate seeks to stop looming execution after codefendant confesses to double murders
Broadnax’s lawyers cite a confession, DNA evidence, and trial discrepancies to seek a stay of execution before his April 30 lethal injection in Texas.
- On Thursday, death row inmate James Broadnax filed a new appeal citing a signed confession from his cousin, Demarius Cummings, claiming he—not Broadnax—shot victims Stephen Swan and Matthew Butler in the 2008 Garland murders.
- In a March 11 declaration, Cummings stated he orchestrated the 2008 robbery of Swan and Butler, persuading Broadnax to accept blame because Cummings had a prior criminal record while Broadnax had none.
- Attorneys claim DNA evidence on the murder weapon links to Cummings; the appeal also alleges prosecutors used "racially insinuating inferences" and misrepresented rap lyrics Broadnax wrote to portray him as violent.
- With his execution scheduled for April 30, Broadnax seeks a stay from the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, as attorneys argue the confession constitutes new evidence for a new trial or punishment hearing.
- Legal expert Brett Ordiway noted the court must determine if claims satisfy strict post-conviction requirements, while Broadnax has separate pending appeals before the Supreme Court regarding jury selection and his rap lyrics.
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Cousin's confession shakes Dallas County death row case weeks before execution
A Dallas County death row inmate’s attorneys are seeking to halt his scheduled execution after his cousin and co-defendant submitted a sworn confession claiming he — not the condemned man — was the triggerman in a 2008 Garland double murder.
·Philadelphia, United States
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources12
Leaning Left2Leaning Right0Center10Last UpdatedBias Distribution83% Center
Bias Distribution
- 83% of the sources are Center
83% Center
L 17%
C 83%
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