Rodney Reed: Celebrities Including Rihanna, T.I. Sign Petition to Stop Execution of Death Row Inmate in Texas

*Rihanna, Meek Mill and a slew of artists have taken to social media bring attention to Rodney Reed, a death row inmate in the state of Texas who many believe was wrongly convicted of murder. 

Reed has spent more than 20 years in prison for the 1996 murder of Stacey Stites,  according to CNN. Police say he raped, assaulted, and strangled Stites, but Rodney has always maintained his innocence.

Former inmate Arthur Snow claims Stites’ fiancé, Jimmy Fennell, confessed to killing her in 2010.  Snow recently filed an affidavit that could save Reed’s life, Complex reports. 

“Jimmy said his fiancé had been sleeping around with a black man behind his back,” the documents read. “Toward the end of the conversation Jimmy said confidently, ‘I had to kill my n*****- loving fiancé.’ My impression was that Jimmy felt safe, even proud, sharing this information with me because I was a member of the Aryan Brotherhood. I think Jimmy assumed that his confession would impress me and earn him credibility with the Aryan Brotherhood.” 

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“Justice requires that evidence of this case be reheard before this man can be executed, and failing to do so would be a travesty of justice.”
—Deke Pierce, Williamson County deputy #RodneyReedhttps://t.co/0ZTq28yiC5

— Innocence Project (@innocence) October 30, 2019

According to the Innocence Project, Reed’s case was never tested for DNA evidence. A group of forensic pathologists also determined that it is “medically and scientifically impossible” for him to have committed the crime. Texas forensic experts reportedly gave erroneous testimony. Evidence also proved Stites and Reed had a consensual relationship.

Despite this, Reed is slated to be executed on Nov. 20. His attorneys have applied for clemency and celebrities are attempting to sway officials to delay the execution by signing a change.org petition. 

Kim Kardashian has also reached out to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to review the case. On October 19, she tweeted: “Please @GovAbbott How can you execute a man when since his trial, substantial evidence that would exonerate Rodney Reed has come forward and even implicates the other person of interest. I URGE YOU TO DO THE RIGHT THING.”

I just signed this petition to tell @GovAbbott to stop the execution of Rodney Reed. You should too!!!#FreeRodneyReedhttps://t.co/HGwLatcE7S

— T.I. (@Tip) November 4, 2019

Over 100,00 have signed the petition calling for the execution to be stopped and all new evidence in the case be presented to a jury.

“There’s so much evidence out there, there’s so much doubt out there, and it just blows my mind that they can sit back, and let us sit in this state of uncertainty,” Rodney’s brother, Rodrick Reed, told CBS Austin. “That’s torture.”

According to the Innocence Project, Texas is on the “verge of executing an innocent man,”

Below are some reactions from musicians and entertainers below. 

How insane!!!! New witness comes forward that Rodeny was NOT the murderer!!!! He is set to be executed Nov 20th. https://t.co/AgGcqVpjV6

— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) October 31, 2019

#RodneyReed’s legal team filed for clemency to stop the November 20 execution. Texans, call @GovAbbott + the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles to stop this execution today: 737-210-4800 and you’ll be connected. https://t.co/THSBxJeBCP

— Innocence Project (@innocence) October 31, 2019

Texas is scheduled to execute #RodneyReed on 11/20.
We must act now & fight for justice.

According to the @NAACP, Black people make up 13% of the population, yet make up 42% of death row & 35% of the executions.#FreeRodneyReed and sign the petition @ https://t.co/fZWsFQ2mfU! pic.twitter.com/cPdKtcb4EE

— A N G E L A | R Y E (@angela_rye) November 4, 2019

One Click!!! SIGN this petition if you don’t believe the Government should kill an innocent man!!! @GovAbbott https://t.co/L3xrvn7MJO

— Rihanna (@rihanna) November 4, 2019

I just signed the petition to stop the execution of #RODNEYREED @Justice4Rodney Thank you shaunking for shining such a bright light on this situation where this brother will be executed in the next 16 days for a… https://t.co/8afYTBPuOn

— Busta Rhymes (@BustaRhymes) November 4, 2019

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