Kim Kardashian West was with death row inmate Rodney Reed when his execution was delayed. The Keeping Up With the Kardashians star has taken on prison reform as her cause célèbre.
Since Kardashian has been working hard in law school and working tirelessly toward her new goal of prison reform. Most recently, she worked alongside President Trump to help free inmate Alive Marie Johnson, who was sentenced to life for a first-time, nonviolent drug conviction. Back in October, Kardashian tweeted about death-row inmate Rodney Reed, urging fans to “do the right thing” by signing a petition to have Reed’s case to be reevaluated due to new DNA evidence surfacing. Kardashian is just one of multiple celebrities to champion Reed’s cause. Beyonce, Busta Rimes, Questlove, and Meek Mill signed petitions and lent their support to Reed as his November 20 execution date neared. Due to Kardashian’s current status as a legal apprentice, Kardashian managed to actually spend time with the inmate after she gained access to him as a legal visitor.
According to Fox, Reed is currently in prison for the 1996 rape and murder of Stacey Stites. Reed maintained that he and Stites - an interracial couple - had a consensual romantic and sexual relationship with each other. Reed was ultimately convicted of Stites’ murder by an all-white jury. Reed has since been granted a 120-day reprieve to allow for the DNA testing of the murder weapon, which to date, has not occurred. It will also allow additional affidavits and testimony to be considered in the case. When Kardashian visited Reed, in which she documented on her Instagram, the prison’s warden delivered the news to them that Reed’s stay of execution had been granted. See the photo below:
Kim posted a picture of Reed with his hand on glass, writing, “Today, I had the honor of meeting #RodneyReed in person and the privilege of sitting with him when he got the news that the highest court in Texas had issued a stay of execution and remanded the case back to the trial court for further consideration. Words cannot describe the relief and hope that swept over the room in that moment.” Kardashian continued, “Every man or woman accused of a crime - especially one punishable by death - deserves the chance to have all available evidence considered.” Then, the reality TV star revealed that “the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles” issued “a 120 day reprieve” to Reed.
Kardashian’s husband Kanye West has made it known that he intends to run for President of the United States in 2024. His political aspirations, along with Kardashian following in her father’s legal footsteps, certainly makes the Rodney Reed stay of execution even more fascinating. While it’s phenomenal that a man who has been convicted of a crime without a full examination of the evidence could finally go free, it’s even more newsworthy that a reality television star has used her platform in such a spectacular way that it could have a lasting impact on the American judicial system. Regardless of what anyone thinks of the Keeping Up With the Kardashians star, she has come a long way in a short time.
Next: Tristan Thompson Still Reportedly Trying to Date Khloé Kardashian After Cheating & Split
Keeping Up with the Kardashians airs Sundays at 9pm EST on E!
Source: Fox News, Kim Kardashian
