Let’s take a look at “Teenager Bridget Townsend Murder Update 2022” Ramiro Gonzales, a death row inmate in Texas, has requested a stay of execution so he can give a kidney. On Wednesday, his attorneys requested a one-month delay in the execution from Governor Greg Abbott.
Gonzales, 39, is scheduled to die by lethal injection on July 13 for killing Texas minor Bridget Townsend in 2001.
Teenager Bridget Townsend Murder Update 2022
Ramiro Gonzales is scheduled to be executed by lethal injection on July 13 for fatally shooting Bridget Townsend, 18 years old. Townsend was a woman from southwest Texas whose body was discovered about two years after she went missing in 2001.
However, only 10 days before his death, his counsel asked Republican Gov. Greg Abbott for a stay of execution so that he might donate a kidney.
Gonzales’ attorneys claim that after being assessed by the transplant experts at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, he was considered to be a “great candidate” for donation.
Ramiro Gonzales who is set to be put to death in less than two weeks asked that his execution be delayed so he can donate a kidney. He's scheduled to receive a lethal injection on July 13 for fatally shooting an 18-year-old woman. https://t.co/2Hj3bBzbMs
— THV11 (@THV11) July 2, 2022
Gonzales was discovered to have an uncommon blood type, which means his donation might help someone who is having problems finding a match.
“All that is left is the procedure to remove Ramiro’s kidney. The operation might be done within a month, according to UTMB “his attorney, Posel and Schonemann emailed Abbott.
Policies of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice enable offenders to donate organs and tissues. Gonzales was judged unsuitable after requesting to be a donor earlier this year, according to agency spokesperson Amanda Hernandez.
She did not explain why, but Gonzales’ attorneys stated in their letter that the agency opposed it because of the upcoming execution date.
Gonzales’ plea to the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles is scheduled for a vote on July 11th. Gonzales’ counsel has submitted a second plea to the board, requesting that his death sentence be commuted to a lesser penalty.
They also requested that his death be postponed if his spiritual adviser is not permitted to hold his hand while simultaneously placing another hand on his heart during his execution. A two-day federal trial on this request was scheduled to begin in Houston on Tuesday.
Gonzales’ desire to postpone his execution in exchange for organ donation is unusual among death row convicts in the United States. According to Robert Dunham, executive director of the Death Penalty Information Center.
Steven Shelton, a convicted murderer in Delaware, gave a kidney to his mother in 1995, according to abc7news.
Gonzales got the idea from Cantor Michael Zoosman, a famous anti-death penalty supporter and former prison chaplain. Mr. Zoosman had told the congregation of his synagogue about a member in need of a kidney donation.
Why Did Texas Inmate Ramiro Gonzales Asked Execution Delay?
Ramiro Gonzales, a Texas convict, requested a delay of execution so that he may become a live donor to someone in need of an urgent kidney transplant.
Gonzales’ lawyers, Thea Posel and Raoul Schonemann requested Republican Gov. Greg Abbott in a letter issued Wednesday to seek a 30-day respite.
His attorneys have requested a 180-day respite from the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles in connection with the kidney donation.
Gonzales’ attorneys included a letter from Zoosman, an ordained Jewish cleric from Maryland who has been interacting with Gonzales, in their plea to Abbott.
“I have no doubt that Ramiro’s desire to be an altruistic kidney donor is not motivated by a last-minute attempt to prevent or postpone his execution.”
“I’ll go to my grave knowing in my heart that this is what Ramiro wants to do to put his soul straight with God, “Zoosman added.
Yesterday I interviewed Ramiro Gonzales, who is slated for execution in 2 wks & wants a 30 day repreive to donate a kidney first – as "atonement" for the life he took
"How can I give back life?" he told me. "I think this could be probably one of the closest things to doing that" pic.twitter.com/bYanVo9UsH
— Keri Blakinger (@keribla) June 30, 2022
Keri Blakinger, a Marshall Project reporter, paid a visit to Gonzales on death row in Huntsville, Texas, on Wednesday. “This is part of my atonement,” Gonzales said to Ms. Blakinger during a one-hour conversation.
“How can you repay someone who has taken something so valuable from the world? No, you don’t. You’ve spent all these years attempting to make amends.”
He said, ‘How can I give life back? This is probably the closest thing to doing so. I don’t want to say it saves a life, but it keeps someone from dying.”
What Happened Between Ramiro Gonzales And Bridget Townsend?
Gonzales was condemned to death in 2006 for the kidnapping, sexual assault, and murder of Bridget Townsend, an 18-year-old girl. He was 18 at the time of the crime and has been on death row for 15 years.
Gonzales kidnapped Townsend, sexually abused her, then fatally shot her on January 15, 2001, in Medina County.
Bridget was in her boyfriend Joe Leal’s house when the event ha[pened. Joe Leal was Gonzales’ narcotics dealer.
Gonzales called Joe’s residence on January 14, 2001, to acquire additional narcotics. Bridget answered the phone and stated that Joe was at work.
Death row inmate asks for execution delay so he can donate kidney.
An American inmate who is set to be put to death in less than two weeks asked that his execution be delayed so he can donate a kidney.#cheat • #APCFixASUUStrike • #TotalEnergiesWAFCON • Bisola pic.twitter.com/tuWoYoCJ7V
— TWAA.ng (@TWAA_ng) July 2, 2022
Gonzales decided to drive over to the residence and steal some cocaine knowing Bridget was there. After Bridget opened the door, Gonzales forced his way past her. He ignored Bridget as she took between $150 and $500 in cash.
Gonzales pulled Bridget into a bedroom and tied her up when she started dialing Joe. He inquired as to whether Joe had any narcotics in the house.
When she said no, he led her out to this truck, pausing to turn off the lights so they wouldn’t be seen. Gonzales returned to the property after picking up his grandfather’s .243 caliber deer rifle.
Gonzales admitted that he intended to shoot Bridget so that no one would know he had robbed Joe or kidnapped Bridget. He drove Bridget to the location where her remains were eventually discovered and forced her to go towards the brush as he loaded the gun.
Bridget offered money, drugs, or sex in exchange for Gonzales’ life. Gonzales emptied the firearm and returned to the truck to abuse her before dragging her into the woods and shooting her.
