Gov. Abbott Spares Texas Inmate Thomas Whitaker From Being Executed

AUSTIN — Thomas Whitaker's execution was commuted Thursday minutes before he was scheduled to be put to death. Late Thursday, Gov. Greg Abbott reduced Whitaker's sentence to life in prison. Now 38, Whitaker masterminded the 2003 fatal shooting deaths of his mother and brother in their suburban Houston home in a scheme to collect inheritance. His father, who survived the attack, eventually forgave his son and urged clemency in his case.   Continue reading...