Court Upholds Death Penalty for Officer Jaime Padron's Murderer

Today, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has confirmed it will uphold the death penalty for the man currently on death row for the 2012 murder of Austin Police Officer Jaime Padron, said a local news source. Jaime also previously served with the San Angelo Police Department, and many people here still mourn his loss.

The court ruled the case had no merit after reviewing Brandon Daniel's case, and stated, “Consequently, we affirm the trial court’s judgment and sentence of death.” Officials added that when an individual is sentenced to death, the case is automatically appealed to the Court of Criminal Appeals.

According to the news source, Daniel was found guilty of capital murder and sentenced to death in February 2014. A few weeks after his trial, Daniel sent Judge Brenda Kennedy a letter stating why he wanted to waive any and all of his appeals.

Daniel wrote: “I want justice to be served and I feel that the punishment is appropriate for my crime; we are both interested in saving the taxpayer’s money, the time of all involved and in sparing my family and the victim’s family anymore angst than necessary; and finally, I would like to limit my time in prison to the least amount possible.”

By waiving all appeals, officials say the execution process could happen within two years. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice says inmates that receive capital punishment stay on death row an average of nearly 11 years before being put to death.