Texas inmate set to die this week loses at court, parole board

HOUSTON (AP) — The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles has refused a clemency petition from a 36-year-old San Antonio man set for execution this week for a robbery-slaying more than 14 years ago.

The panel’s 6-0 vote Monday came hours after Juan Castillo lost a U.S. Supreme Court appeal.

The high court refused to review arguments that Castillo’s due process rights were violated related to trial testimony from a jail inmate who said Castillo, while locked up awaiting trial, told him about killing 19-year-old Tommy Garcia Jr. The inmate years later recanted his testimony, saying he made up the story.

Castillo is set for execution Wednesday.

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The high court Monday also declined an appeal from Eric Williams, condemned for the 2013 killings of Kaufman County District Attorney Mike McLelland and his wife.