Rodney Reed's family advocates to end death penalty ahead of scheduled execution date
AUSTIN, Texas — Dozens gathered at the Capitol Saturday for the 20th annual 'March to Abolish the Death Penalty.'
The timing of the march couldn't have come at a more urgent time for the family of Rodney Reed.
Reed's scheduled execution date is now just a little over two weeks away.
"I don't entertain that date I don't even try to even think about that date," said Reed's Mother, Sandra.
Sandra has attended the march all 20-years it's been around.
Something she says has given her a bigger purpose, " You listen to other people stories and how their loved ones were convicted and it sounds so similar to Rodney's and it was just an eye opener for me."
Among the Reed family, were several other anti-death penalty organizations and families fighting similar cases.
"I do think there has been a shift even here in Texas," said Lily Hughes, who organizes the yearly event.
Hughes says on average there are 13 prisoner executions in Texas each year.
She says that is a significant drop from just a decade ago, "Things have changed in Texas. The number of people being sentenced to death has dropped very dramatically."
Reed's mother Sandra says it's a cause she will continue to fight for, "There are plenty mothers in my shoes and I have to be the voice for those. I just feel like I need to be the voice for them."
Reed's execution date is set for November 20th.
His attorney's filed a motion earlier this month requesting to withdrawal his execution date.
Reeds attorney's say new evidence has come to light that they believe will help the case.
