Rodney Reed: Judge recommends no new trial for the Texas death row inmate

“The Courtroom has extensively thought of your entire document of this case from its trial via the ten day evidentiary listening to, at which the court docket was capable of observe witnesses and assess their credibility regarding Applicant’s claims. This court docket recommends that reduction sought by the Applicant be denied,” the advice signed by Choose J.D. Langley on Sunday mentioned.

“Applicant has not confirmed by clear and convincing proof that no affordable juror would have convicted him of capital homicide,” Langley wrote. “Applicant has not confirmed by clear and convincing proof that he’s truly harmless.”

Reed, who was sentenced to loss of life greater than 20 years in the past for the assault, rape, and strangling of 19-year-old Stacey Stites, has maintained his innocence.

The group has mentioned the homicide weapon was by no means examined for DNA proof, that forensic specialists admitted to errors of their testimony, and {that a} former jail inmate claims another person confessed to the homicide that despatched Reed to jail, amongst different exonerating claims.

The case has united lawmakers, religious leaders, and celebrities comparable to Oprah, Kim Kardashian West and Rihanna in Reed’s protection.

In 2019, Reed was granted a stay of execution simply days earlier than his scheduled execution date of November 20, 2019. The keep meant the case would return to a state choose in Bastrop County, the place Reed was convicted.

Since Reed’s 1998 trial, “substantial proof exonerates Rodney,” the Innocence Undertaking mentioned, in July.

“Rodney Reed’s authorized workforce offered its case that Mr. Reed deserves a brand new trial in mild of newly found proof that helps his innocence declare. On the listening to earlier than District Choose J.D. Langley, his authorized workforce additionally offered proof that prosecutors had withheld proof and specialists had given deceptive testimony at Mr. Reed’s authentic trial in 1998,” the Innocence Undertaking mentioned.

Langley’s suggestion now goes again to the Texas Courtroom of Prison Appeals, which can determine whether or not Reed ought to be granted a brand new trial.

CNN has reached out to the Innocence Undertaking for touch upon Langley’s suggestion.