Official Statement of the Texas Council On Family Violence Re: Betty Lou Beets.

Business Editors

AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 11, 2000

The following is an official statement from the Texas Council on Family Violence, regarding Betty Lou Beets.

Betty Lou Beets is currently on death row in Gatesville, Texas, for the capital murder of her husband. We are sympathetic to his family and are not excusing her actions, however, TCFV believes that Beets, a woman subjected to lifelong abuse, was denied the right to a fair trial. Because of this injustice, the Texas Council on Family Violence strongly supports her request for a 180-day reprieve to allow for proper investigation into her trial and conviction.

Beets has suffered repeated injustices at the hands of the Texas judicial system. During her trial, her defense attorney failed to present the jury with any information about her lifetime of abuse. He later admitted under oath to withholding evidence that would have exonerated Beets from being convicted of capital offense charges.

Her incompetent and unethical attorney was later imprisoned for soliciting a bribe to fix another capital murder case. By failing to give Beets the opportunity for review of her case, Texas will be blatantly disregarding her constitutional right to be afforded competent counsel, due process and a fair trial.

Beets' life is a chronicle of virtually uninterrupted physical, sexual and emotional abuse. She was severely abused as a child and was battered by multiple husbands. Beets suffers from severe learning disabilities and a hearing impairment she has had since early childhood. She also suffers from organic brain damage caused by repeated blows at the hands of abusive men.

Beets deserves the opportunity to tell her whole story. We urge the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles to grant Beets' request for a 180-day reprieve. If her request is denied, the Board will, in effect, send a message that justice is arbitrary in the state of Texas.