i found this interesting. The guilty party has been in the US since he was 2 years old and did not identify himself as a mexican citizen which means he considers himself american. all american citizens get a fair trial and public defender which is just what he got. So i dont understand if what is good enough for an american citizen is not good enough for a mexican citizen? why dont we have a problem with canadians coming here selling drugs, raping and killing people??






msnbc.com news services

updated 7/8/2011 12:25:08 PM ET

GENEVA— A top United Nations' rights
official said the United States was in breach of
international law over the execution of a 38-
year-old Mexican citizen in Texas.

U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights
Navi Pillay said Friday the Texas execution of
Humberto Garcia Leal "raises particular legal
concerns," including whether he had access to
consular services and a fair trial.

Pillay also cited a 2004 International Court of
Justice ruling saying the U.S. must review and
reconsider the cases of 51 Mexican nationals
sentenced to death, including Leal's — but, she
said, that never happened.

Texas executed Leal Thursday over objections
from President Barack Obama's administration
that the action would violate international
treaty obligations and put U.S. citizens abroad
at risk.

Leal was pronounced dead at 6:21 p.m., 10
minutes after the lethal drugs began flowing
into his arms at a prison in Huntsville, Texas.

Story: Despite US pleas, Texas executes
Mexican killer

Leal was sentenced to death for the 1994
murder of 16-year-old Adria Sauceda, whose
brutalized nude body was found hours after
he left a San Antonio street party with her. She
was bludgeoned with a piece of 30- to 40-
pound chunk of asphalt.

In a last statement, Leal apologized to the
victim's family and asked for their forgiveness.

"I truly am sorry. That is all. Let's get this show
on the road," Leal said. "One more thing: Viva
Mexico, Viva Mexico."

Leal was just a toddler when he and his family
moved to the U.S. from Monterrey, Mexico, but
his citizenship became a key element of his
lawyers' efforts to win a stay. They said police
never told him following his arrest that he
could seek legal assistance from the Mexican
government under an international treaty.

Capital punishment in Mexico was officially
abolished in 2005, having not been used in
civil cases since 1937, and in military cases
since 1961.

'Irreparable breach'
The Obama administration warned that
executing Leal would violate the Vienna
Convention on Consular Relations and leave U.
S. citizens traveling abroad at higher risk of
arrest without cause or denial of diplomatic
representation.
advertisement UN: Texas execution broke international law
Top official: Case 'raises particular legal concerns,' including whether Mexican citizen had access to consul, fair trial
Leal's lawyers said Texas authorities did not
inform him of his right to consult with Mexican
consular authorities and violated the Vienna
Convention, which guarantees foreign
detainees the right to consult with
representatives of their governments when
they are arrested.

In legal briefs filed before the Supreme Court,
the U.S. government had warned that the
execution would create an "irreparable breach"
of international law, and Mexico's government
said it would "seriously jeopardize" cross-
border cooperation on joint ventures and
extraditions.

Mexico strongly condemned the execution,
lodged an official protest with the U.S. State
Department and sent letters to Texas
Governor Rick Perry "underscoring the
importance of fulfilling the international
obligations," according to a press release from
the Mexican Foreign Ministry.
Reuters and The Associated Press contributed
to this report.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or
redistributed.

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Texas Department of Criminal Justice via AP
Humberto Leal was executed for the rape and murder of 16-year-old Adria Sauceda.

It has to do with treaties. We expect other countries to live by them and treat our citizens when in their country under the terms in those treaties. If we don't, it's going to be hard to ask other countries to and retain any moral high ground.

Like Iran?

I'm not aware of what treaties we have with Iran, but yes, any country. If we don't live by them how can we expect any one else to? conversely, is it logical to stop following a treaty with one country because another country didn't?

Not following the logic.

Good GOD man you kill me with this ****.......Did you see what he was convicted of????Why should he get a break???

These other countries that are going to wipe our azz after we take a dump and then feed us with a golden spoon all while sitting in a lavish cell for committing a capitol crime in their jurisdiction.Name them azzbag....name 1.I can think of several that will behead/disembowell/hang you in public for much lesser offenses.

I say kick the fugging UN out....they're just here because we pay their inflated salaries.Kick them out and cut them off.


Ron

This worked really well for that kid that got caned in Tailand..........

I'm not aware of what treaty might have been in question in that case. What was the issue in question there?

International treaties are superior to US laws.

Bryer or Kennedy?

Yes, he was convicted of a terrible crime. There was no 'break' under the treaty with Mexico. Lavish cell? Golden spoon? Disembowel? WTF are you getting all emotional about? That time of the month? Quit living in fear and quit being an emotional wreck. Let those of us who can think rationally take care of things.

This is awesome!! I love it!!

Dont Mess with Texas!!!

They never forgot the Alamo.

Lmfao @ HD

God bless Texas!

This is a good thing to read at the end of my work day!!!


I can just see his last statement...... then the dude with the needle.... "Remember the Alamo, Joto!" said as he injects him!

Thats the problem in this country now.....You and your elitest friends want to think for everybody.Now jello for a brain numbnuts bassturd....My point was had this been an American convicted in a foriegn country not one word would have been said.We obviously have too many whining little bi*ches ,such as yourself,in this country that are more concerned about some treaty than justice.If they do not want their criminals executed in Texas....I suggest they instruct them to stay the hell out of our state..........Maybe your neighborhood would be more leniant.Fuzz you're still an idiot.


Ron

Bullsh*t Bullsh*t Bullsh*t and you are full of sh*t.

Don't get all emotional. Us adults will handle things.

/cry