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THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2001

The government of Mexico on Wednesday filed an appeal with the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals, challenging the conviction and death penalty sentence of Gerardo Valdez.

Valdez, 41, is a Mexican national convicted of shooting and burning a man for alleged sexual advances made. According to the Mexican government, however, he was never informed he could consult his country for help.

Under a 1963 international treaty, foreign citizens have the right to contact their home countries for assistance in capital crimes cases. Defense lawyers say the United States routinely breaks the treaty.

Get the Story:
U.S. Deprived Mexican of Fair Trial, Appeal Says (The Washington Post 8/23)
Doctor recants, questioning inmate's sanity (The Daily Oklahoman 8/23)

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