PENDING EXECUTION OF DAVID HICKS

Early day motion 1228, tabled 21 April 1998 by Chris Mullin (Labour). Signed by 33 members.

That this House notes with concern the case of David Hicks, a poor black man under sentence of death in Huntsville, Texas, for the murder of his grandmother; notes that Mr Hicks insists upon his innocence and that the only evidence against him was a controversial interpretation of DNA evidence; notes that the prosecution refused a defence expert access to the full DNA evidence until a few hours before the start of the trial; notes the inadequacy of the lawyer appointed by the court to defend Mr Hicks; notes that when challenged about his refusal to complain about the conduct of the prosecution, Mr Hicks' counsel allegedly replied '...I can't do that. I have got to live with these people'; notes that Mr Hicks has so far survived only because of the generosity of pen-friends in Europe who hired an attorney to make representations on his behalf; and calls on the State of Texas to grant Mr Hicks a new trial at which he is adequately represented and all the relevant facts are before the court.

Signatures by party: Labour 30, Conservative 1, Plaid Cymru 1, Unknown 1.