On September 18, 2023, Clinton Young, a former Texas death-sentenced prisoner, filed a federal civil rights lawsuit in the Western District of Texas.
His lawsuit accuses two Midland County district attorneys, the prosecutor who handled his case, and Midland County itself of violating his constitutional right to a fair trial.
After nearly 20 years on death row, 5 writ of habeas corpus post-conviction appeals, and coming within a week of being executed, Young walked out of prison and death row after the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals threw out his original conviction due to prosecutorial misconduct.
Young, who was 18 at the time, along with David Page and Darnell McCoy, were accused of engaging in a drug-induced spree resulting in the deaths of two individuals. In 2003, he was sentenced to death for these murders. Although Mr. Young admitted to being present during the fatal cross-Texas trip, he maintained that he did not shoot anyone.
During the trial, Mr. Page testified against Mr. Young, alleging that he was responsible for both shootings. Mr. Young’s current legal team believes that Mr. Page provided testimony against their client in exchange for a reduced sentence, a crucial detail not properly disclosed during the trial. In 2017, Mr. Young came close to his scheduled execution date when the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals (TCCA) intervened, citing inconsistencies in Mr. Page’s testimony and newly discovered DNA evidence linking Mr. Page, not Mr. Young, to gloves found at the crime scene.
Two years later, Midland County District Attorney Laura Nodolf recused herself from Mr. Young’s case and reported attorney Ralph Petty, who worked for both the trial judge and the district attorneys office, to the court for investigation due to allegations of misconduct.
Petty’s involvement in the Young case while working for both the judge in the case and for the Midland County prosecutor revealed over 350 other cases which were tainted due to his involvement. Petty has since surrendered is license to practice.
In August of 2022 a special grand jury in Harrison County indicted Young for capital murder in the November 25, 2001 shooting death of Doyle Douglas, one of the two people who were murdered in the crime spree. The Texas Attorney General’s office is now handling the prosecution of this case.
Related Links-
Death Penalty Information Center – Former Death Row Prisoner Sues Prosecutor
Former Texas Death Row Inmate Advocates for Reform – Herald Banner – March 2023
Clinton Young Conviction Reversal, Hope for Your Loved One
Clinton Young Foundation – Now working not only on the Clinton Young cases, but also advocates for prisoners in the US who have been denied a fair trial by offering and spreading relevant information, conducting research and investigation, and providing financial resources and legal assistance.
Clinton Young Arrested On New Murder Charge – Newswest 9 KWES
Clinton Young Foundation – Advocating for and offers legal assistance to those wrongfully convicted of capital murder in Texas.
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