Steven Nelson execution: Clergy members ask Abbott to stop death of man who killed Arlington preacher
AUSTIN, Texas - Two clergy members went to the State Capitol on Tuesday to ask Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to stop the execution of a man who killed an Arlington preacher in 2011.
What we know:
Pastor Jeff Hood and the Rev. Katheryn Barlow-Williams arrived with a video crew and a petition for Abbott.
They are trying to stop the execution of Steven Nelson who is scheduled to die on Wednesday, Feb. 5.
With no appointment to see the governor, Hood slipped the pages of their petition, containing 11,000 signatures, under a door to the Governor's Reception Room.
"This is a case that hadn't gotten a tremendous amount of the national sort of media coverage. And yet 11,000 people don't want this to happen," said Hood.
What they're saying:
Before delivering the petition, the two clergy members stood in a courtyard at Austin's Central Presbyterian Church to defend their request.
"I think that probably what is appropriate is that he should spend, and he should get a life sentence, and spend most of the rest of his life behind bars," said Hood.
As Hood stood next to his son, who was wearing a T-shirt that read "Save Steven Nelson", he argued that Nelson still has value. Hood also pointed to a large banner behind them that read "WHO WOULD JESUS EXECUTE?"
"If you can't imagine Jesus as the executioner, then I don't see how any follower of Jesus could support the death penalty," said Hood.
FOX 7 Austin noted that some theologians could answer the question on the banner with the word "Himself." Hood admitted that was a good answer and then offered another question.
"If Jesus is the answer, if the sacrifice, the death and resurrection of Jesus is the answer, it's over. We don't have to keep doing it. And so, you know, enough blood's already been shed. We don't have to shed any more blood," said Hood.
The murder of Pastor Clint Dobson
The backstory:
The murder of Pastor Clint Dobson in 2011 at Arlington’s Northpointe Baptist church is how Steven Nelson ended up on death row.
During the trial, prosecutors said Nelson attacked Pastor Dobson in his church office as he was writing his sermon. A bag was used to suffocate the preacher.
Nelson also beat up the church secretary and took her car.
He was later captured after going on a shopping spree with the victims’ credit cards. Jurors in Nelson's trial said he was a danger to society.
Nelson has since gotten married while on death row and continues to blame the crime on two men who he claims were in on the robbery.
What they're saying:
Rev. Barlow-Williams has disputed the idea that the sentence will protect members of the clergy.
"So do not avenge the death of the victim of Steven Nelson on the behalf of all pastors, because by far, I think the vast majority of us do not support the death penalty," said Rev. Barlow-Williams.
The crime devastated Pastor Dobson's congregation and many did not object to the sentence. Hood was critical of that, and of those who have not joined his effort to end the death penalty.
"Unfortunately, Christian theology is often such that we believe that there's got to be blood when something bad happens. I reject that," said Hood.
The other side:
As of Tuesday afternoon, the Governor’s Office had not officially responded to the petition or FOX 7 Austin’s request for comment.
FOX 7 Austin also reached out to officials at Pastor Dobson's church for comment, but has not heard back as of Tuesday afternoon.
The Source: Information in this report comes from reporting by FOX 7 Austin's chief political reporter Rudy Koski.