SAN ANTONIO – After a stay of execution was granted earlier this week, Ramiro Gonzales’ case will now return to a Medina County Magistrate’s Court.
Gonzales is on death row for the 2001 kidnapping, rape and murder of 18-year-old Bridget Townsend of Bandera County.
A federal court judge ruled last week in favor of Gonzales’ spiritual advisor putting a hand to his heart during the execution. His lawyers also asked for a reprieve to allow him to donate a kidney.
On Monday, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals ruled on a writ of habeas corpus and said Gonzales’ sentence should be reviewed after it found testimony from a forensic psychologist was false.
In 2006, Dr. Edward Gripon testified that Gonzales would likely commit sexual assault again and pose a future danger to the public.
Gripon has since re-interviewed Gonzales and changed his assessment, saying his sentence should be changed to life in prison.
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The Texas Attorney General’s office may appeal the latest decision, but from now on the case will be sent to Medina County.
A hearing will be held at a later date and that’s when Gonzales’ sentence will be reviewed and a decision will be made whether he remains on death row or gets life in prison without release. conditional.
As for the possibility of donating a kidney, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles rejected this request.
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