Ramiro Gonzales is denied pardon hours before his execution

• Pardon Request Denied by Texas
• Gonzales Sought to Donate a Kidney
• Execution Scheduled for Wednesday

The lawyers of Ramiro Gonzales, 39, who was sentenced to death for the murder of Bridget Townsend in 2001, received bad news just hours before his execution.

They had requested a postponement of the execution in a letter sent on June 29 to Governor Greg Abbott.

In the letter, they argued that Gonzales’ request to donate an organ to a stranger was «in line with his efforts to atone for his crimes.»

However, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles denied clemency to Gonzales.

RAMIRO GONZALES’ EXECUTION SCHEDULED FOR WEDNESDAY

The execution of the Hispanic man is scheduled for this Wednesday.

Gonzales, now 41, had asked the Board to recommend clemency.

This would allow Governor Greg Abbott to commute his sentence to a lesser penalty.

It was also revealed that the request was related to the murder of 18-year-old Bridget Townsend in 2001.

The Board voted unanimously, 7-0, against recommending a commutation of the sentence or a 180-day reprieve, according to La Opinión.

Gonzales’ lawyers expressed their profound sadness and disappointment at the decision in a statement.

Additionally, it was reported that Gonzales had requested a 30-day postponement of his execution to donate a kidney.

However, this request was also denied, as he was deemed not fit for organ donation.

This was in accordance with the department’s healthcare policy, confirmed by a department spokesperson to the cited media outlet.

Ramiro Gonzales’ story dates back to January 2001, when, at 18, he sought to buy drugs from Townsend’s boyfriend, his usual dealer.

According to a 2009 appellate court opinion, when Gonzales called, Townsend answered the phone and informed him that her boyfriend was at work.

Gonzales then decided to go to the house with the intent to steal cocaine. There, he stole money, tied Townsend’s hands and feet, and kidnapped her.

Gonzales later took Townsend to a location near his family’s ranch, where he sexually assaulted her and then shot her, ending her life.

Gonzales led authorities to Townsend’s body, according to CNN.

Despite legal efforts and humanitarian appeals, the execution of Ramiro Gonzales remains scheduled for this Wednesday.

This will bring a long and painful chapter to an end for both the victim’s family and those involved in the case.

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