Do Not Execute Richard Hinojosa
August 17, 2006
Texas
The body of Terry Wright was found in San Antonio, on May 10, 1994. She had been raped and stabbed eleven times. Several days later Richard Hinojosa was arrested and charged with her murder. The evidence against Hinojosa was circumstantially strong; DNA and a footprint at the crime scene both pointed towards Hinojosa as the murderer. Semen samples taken from Wright’s body were originally compared with DNA from Hinojosa were found to be inconclusive. They were then sent to an outside laboratory where a match was found.
One eyewitness testified that she had seen two men and a woman in Wrights apartment the night of the murder. She said it looked like the three were dancing. Another person came forward and testified that early that morning he had seen two men working on a Black Beretta, Wright’s car. The other man was never found; Hinojosa was the only one arrested for involvement in the murder.
Hinojosa’s defense attorney argued that he and Wright had had consensual sex prior to the murder, explaining the presence of his DNA in Ms. Wright. A co-worker of Hinojosa’s testified that he had seen Hinojosa bring Wright to the country club where they worked. The court documents make no mention of rape, just that Hinojosa’s sperm was found inside Ms. Wright.
Richard Hinojosa should not be executed for the murder of Terry Wright. Another man may have been witness to the events of this case and may have committed the murder. Too much uncertainty surrounds this case to justify killing a human being.
Please write to Gov. Rick Perry on behalf of Richard Hinojosa
