A Texas Execution Raises Red Flags in the International Community

An execution scheduled in Texas today is making international headlines. Should Humberto Leal Garcia, Jr. die at the hands of the state, the U.S.’s diplomatic relations with Mexico could be adversely impacted, and possibly may violate the U.S.’s compliance with the U.N.’s Vienna Convention on Consular Relations.  Garcia was convicted in 1994 of raping and killing a 16-year-old girl in Texas. He is a Mexican national and was not informed that he could access Mexican consular officials after his arrest. Garcia has been denied clemency from the state of Texas, but President Obama has asked that the Supreme Court weigh in on his case by today. Sandra Babcock, clinical professor of law and director of the Center for International Human Rights at Northwestern University, represents Humberto Leal Garci,a Jr. and is arguing for a stay in the case. She speaks with us about what might happen today.