Texas Court Halts Execution of David Leonard Wood Amid Innocence Claims

A Texas appeals court has stayed the execution of David Leonard Wood, scheduled for March 13, 2025, just two days before it was to take place. Wood, convicted in 1992 for the murders of six girls and young women in the 1980s, has consistently maintained his innocence, citing a lack of DNA evidence linking him to the crimes. His lawyers presented new evidence and requested DNA testing that could potentially exonerate him, arguing that previous appeals for testing were unjustly denied. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals issued a ruling to pause the execution without detailing the reasons, although some judges dissented. As legal battles continue, doubts about the integrity of Wood's conviction persist, with his attorney emphasizing that 150 pieces of evidence remain untested. This case has drawn significant public attention, highlighting ongoing concerns over wrongful convictions in capital cases.