IANAL, but from what I understand, Under the Texas constitution, the governor has very limited pardon powers. It's a historical artifact left over from the Reconstruction era when Republicans lawmakers wanted to prevent Democratic governors from pardoning KKK members, and de-facto legalizing lynching.

The state governent makeup of TX is kind of weird, The Railroad Commissioner probably wields more power than the Governor.

Even in death penalty cases, getting the governor to intervene just gives the accused an extra hearing, the governor can't really pardon people.

I know it's a shocker, but the TX Governor isn't using this as an excuse to grab more power.

IANAL, but from what I understand, Under the Texas constitution, the governor has very limited pardon powers. It's a historical artifact left over from the Reconstruction era to prevent governors from pardoning KKK killers.

The state governent makeup of TX is kind of weird, The Railroad Commissioner probably wields more power than the Governor.

Even in death penalty cases, getting the governor to intervene just gives the accused an extra hearing, the governor can't really pardon people.

I know it's a shocker, but the TX Governor isn't using this as an excuse to grab more power.