Alabama to Kill Man with History of Abuse and Mental Illness

Have you heard about Alabama's Osgood case?

James Osgood’s decision to surrender his appeals and request execution has left a haunting mark on the case. At 55, Osgood’s life is set to end on April 24 by lethal injection in Alabama, but the full story of his troubled past remains unheard by many.

In 2014, Osgood was convicted of two counts of capital murder for the 2010 death of Tracy Brown. However, his story is far more complex than the crime he was convicted of. During his trial, Osgood’s defense team introduced evidence of his harrowing childhood – one marked by extreme neglect, abuse, and trauma. Yet, the jury was denied the opportunity to fully consider this evidence when deciding his fate.

Despite a court ruling in 2016 that ordered a new sentencing trial, Osgood’s second trial was deeply flawed. His defense lawyer, appointed once again by the court, failed to present key evidence of Osgood’s mental health struggles and his abusive upbringing. No witnesses were called, and no new evidence was introduced. Once again, Osgood was sentenced to death.

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His past paints a heartbreaking picture: abandoned by his parents at just nine months old, subjected to abuse, and suffering from mental health issues that went largely ignored by the justice system.

Today, as the clock ticks down to his execution, the court has yet to address the profound impact this evidence could have on his sentence. His case reflects a troubling trend of individuals with mental illness, often overlooked, surrendering their appeals and facing execution without adequate review.

Look up more on this case by visiting Equal Justice Initiative.