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Top Morning Stories July 20, 2011

Rais Bhuiyan (center) was shot by a stranger shortly after 9/11. He's trying to stop the shooter's execution scheduled for Wednesday.
Photo by Erika Aguilar for KUT News
Rais Bhuiyan (center) was shot by a stranger shortly after 9/11. He's trying to stop the shooter's execution scheduled for Wednesday.

Hate Crime Victim Trying to Delay Attacker's Execution

A federal court in Austin this morning will hear the case of a man who is trying to stop the execution of his attacker. Rais Bhuiyan survived a hate crime shooting after 9/11. He’s suing the State of Texasto halt the execution of Mark Stroman, who also shot and killed two people in the Dallas area in October 2001.

Stroman was targeting people who looked Middle Eastern. Bhuiyan was shot in the face and survived. He says his Muslim religious beliefs don’t condone execution. Stroman is scheduled to be executed tonight. 

Hasan's Arraignment Today

The arraignment for the accused Fort Hood shooter is set for 2:30 p.m. today in a Fort Hood courtroom. Major Nidal M. Hasan is charged with 13 counts of premeditated murder and 32 counts of attempted premeditated murder for the shootings November 5, 2009.

Dewhurst Officially Running for U.S. Senate

Texas Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst has officially entered the race for Republican U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison’s seat.  Dewhurst made the announcement in avideo to supporters yesterday. Hutchison is not running for re-election next year.

Dewhurst was elected lieutenant governor in 2002. He’s entering a Republican primary that already has several other candidates.  Dewhurst is expected to use some of his own personal fortune on his campaign.

Shortly after Dewhurst made his announcement, Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson confirmed he's running for lieutenant governor. That's according to KUT's political reporting partner, The Texas Tribune.

Austinite Taking Thriller Jacket on Tour for Charity

The Associated Pressreports the famous jacket Michael Jackson wore for the ‘Thriller’ video will soon be on tour to help raise money for charities that help sick children. An Austin businessman and philanthropist won the jacket at an auction for $1.8 million. $100,000 will be donated to Dell Children’s Medical Center. The iconic jacket will be on display at the Long Center for the Performing Arts on July 27th.