Two weeks before Willingham's execution date in 2004, famed arson analyst Gerald Hurst took a fresh look at the case. Meticulously researched, staunchly reported and beautifully written, it covers the history of Londons Royal Geographic Society, to which Percy belonged, and the 300-year quest for the mythical golden city, El Dorado, as well as the rubber trade and its effect on indigenous tribes who shoot six-foot arrows from seven-foot bows. I lied on him in court. I had a good life. I have been persecuted for 12 years for something I did not do. Oh Jesus, Lord God, take me home. Stacy, who had for so long expressed belief in Willinghams innocence, had recently taken her first look at the original court records and arson findings. The case of Cameron Todd Willingham, who was executed in Texas in 2004 and whom I wrote about for The New Yorker last month, has taken another strange twist. Despite that, as time went by, her opinion got swayed by court documents and other evidence. . Click on the document to see photos of the prisoner and a description of the crime. I think of tried everything I could to get in touch with ya'll to express how sorry I am. If the citizens dont do away with the death penalty, Texas wont be a safe place to be. "His wife was watching from the witness room and I was told later by the chaplaincy that she had come to witness not on his behalf but as one of the victims, she added. I hope that you can forgive me. I am going to be face to face with Jesus now. ", Angel Maturino Resendiz Executed 6/27/06"Yes sir. I live in New York. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. Michelle Lyons worked as a newspaper reporter and a Texas state employee at the jail and said Willingham was swearing and yelling at his wife, Stacy Kuykendall, even as . A WOMAN who witnessed almost 300 people be put to death has revealed that one inmate told the victims family I hope you die.. "I hope y'all don't have a wreck and kill yourselves. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. On October 14, Texas Judge Charlie Baird held a hearing in the Willingham case to determine whether to hold a court of inquiry. Help us advocate for the innocent by sharing the latest news from the Innocence Project. Documents obtained by the Innocence Project show that state officials received that report but apparently did not act on it. From Gods dust I came and to dust I will return, so the Earth shall become my throne.. Meticulously researched, staunchly reported and beautifully written, it covers the history of Londons Royal Geographic Society, to which Percy belonged, and the 300-year quest for the mythical golden city, El Dorado, as well as the rubber trade and its effect on indigenous tribes who shoot six-foot arrows from seven-foot bows. The article in the New Yorker quoted Willingham's protest of innocence as his final words, but Loyd Cook of the Daily Sun was one of three media witnesses at the execution. "I hope you rot in hell, b--," Willingham said . The current DA, R. Lowell Thompson, told HuffPost he doesn't plan to challenge the pardon request. Yes, sir. Cameron Todd Willingham And The Pentagram Arson via Texas Dept. While Willingham . It ends like this: Just before Willingham received the lethal injection, he was asked if he had any last words. "(In) the infamous words of my famous, legendary brother Nat Turner y'all kiss my black a**. She recalled: "We had two guys in one night, and the first had a really ugly statement where he was telling the victims' families, 'I hope y'all get in a crash and die on your way home., He also said: You can kiss my ass,' and a whole bunch of stuff., Lyons explained: "It really stood out that night because it was so ugly, but then the second execution afterwards, the guy was so apologetic and was crying and telling the victim's family, 'I am so sorry I did this to you. He was confessed, he was one of the guilty ones. While waiting for permission to finish the case from the Third Court of Appeals, Baird put together the document that "orders the exoneration of Cameron Todd Willingham for murdering his three daughters," because of "overwhelming, credible and reliable evidence" presented during a one-day hearing in Austin in October 2010. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. ", Raymond Kinnamon Executed 12/11/94"guys like them got tied up in something like this. "They pulled guns out . 2023 Innocence Project. Usually, the warden will allow them to talk for about two minutes. Willingham claimed he tried to rescue them, but the police didn't buy that story, as he was relatively unharmed. Thank Chaplain Taylor and Jane. She reversed herself shortly before his 2004 execution, declaring that she now considered him guilty for murdering their 2-year-old daughter and her 1-year-old twin sisters. (That blog is a project of the Criminal Justice Legal Foundation, which describes itself as the only public interest law foundation in the nation working full time to strengthen law enforcements ability to assure that crime does not pay. Its advisers include Edwin Meese III, who is also associated with the Heritage Foundation.). In 2009, an arson . An investigative report in the September 7, 2009, issue of the New Yorker deconstructs every facet of the states case against Willingham. Perhaps it goes without saying but producing quality journalism isn't cheap. "He admitted he did it and told me why," she said. 36-year-old Willingham flicked a middle finger at his wife, Stacy Kuykendall, as he was strapped down to the gurney for his execution in 2004. Stacy was unharmed as she was out Christmas shopping at the time. He said, The only statement I want to make is that I am an innocent man convicted of a crime I did not commit. I have been persecuted 12 years for something I did not do. Michelle Lyons, who worked as a journalist for The Huntsville Item between the years of 2000 and 2012, recently recalled some of the prisoners final words - admitting that some she will never forget. And it is a shame that it had to come to this. Perhaps most notably, Hurst was able to explain the presence of lighter fluid at the scene: a charcoal grill which had been used . I just ask you to forgive me and ask the Lord to forgive me for allowing the devil to deceive me. Its basically like reading a 300-page Indiana Jones movie that teaches you important and incredible things about the world. I love you mom. With Jack O'Connell, Laura Dern, Emily Meade, Chris Coy. As incomprehensible as it seems, Scheidegger wrote, we know that some fathers do kill their young children, and anger at the mother is one commonreason.. "Mothers love their children and always will, no matter what happens in their lives. "His last statement was the worst I had ever seen, she told The Mirror. Yes, if one defines truth in the Clintonesque way of defensible as not literally false. The most unfortunate part is that the film poorly serves a real-life miscarriage of justice, the 2004 execution in Texas of Cameron Todd Willingham (O'Connell) for the arson murder of his three . For years, Stacy Kuykendall advocated for Cameron Todd Willingham, stating repeatedly that she believed he didn't deliberately start the house fire that killed their three daughters in 1991. My wife had nothing to do with it. However, a police investigation determined that the fire had been started using some sort of liquid accelerant, and Willingham was reportedly relatively unharmed after the fire. A WOMAN who has seen nearly 300 prisoners die at Huntsville State Prison in Texas said she still remembers the final words of Cameron Willingham, who killed his three daughters. She said the final words of Cameron Willingham, who killed his three daughters, were some of the worst she heard "His last statement was the worst I had ever seen," she told The Mirror. One-year-old twins Karmon and Kameron, as well as two-year-old Amber, were killed in the blaze. Last Statement: Yeah. For other inquiries, Contact Us. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/, Michelle Lyons has witnessed more than 300 people being executed, The first person she watched be killed was murderer Javier Cruz, Cameron Todd Willingham, delivered a foul-mouthed tirade directed at his ex-wife, Some inmates on death row refused to die quietly, Woman who watched 300 executions says prisoner told victims family I hope you die as she reveals their final words, Inside sinister rise of pink cocaine sweeping UK nightclubs as warring cartels battle to control 'Coca Cola of drugs', We live on Britain's WORST street - it's rife with drug addicts, crime & prostitutes we're terrified for our lives, Man 'naked and covered in blood' arrested before mum found 'murdered' at home as neighbours reveal hearing screams, Leicester 'explosion': Listen to massive 'sonic' boom that shook homes and rattled windows. 2. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. ", Marcus Cotton Executed 3/3/04 "Yes Warden, I do. Take care of my daughters, Kaneisha and Ieisha. If I was y'all, I would have killed me. I love you all, take care. "I have been persecuted for 12 years for something I did not do. Based in part on Webb's testimony, Willingham was . But anyway I just wanted, right after that to apologize to you. ", George Whitaker III Executed 11/12/08"First off I'd like to say to Mr. and Mrs. Carrier, I apologize for your pain and suffering. I got to go sister, I love you. That was until she spoke to him shortly before his execution. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. I just got your letter. I. I. NTRODUCTION. Please avoid sharing any personal information in the comments below and join us in making this a hate-speech free and safe space for everyone. Texas put Cameron Todd Willingham to death by lethal injection on Feb. 17, 2004, for the murder of his three children by arson in 1991. Read more on the case below, along with news coverage and key documents. Some may choose to apologise for their crimes, others take their own route, she also explained. Lyons who is a mother to a daughter herself claimed that during the killers execution, his wife was behind a glass window witnessing it, and he screamed at her: "I hope you rot in hell, b***h. I hope you f**king rot in hell.". Im sorry and my head wasnt on straight. His body was cremated and his ashes secretly spread on his children's graves by his parents. She denied him his wish, later telling a reporter, He took my kids away from me.. Fight for the good. That's the story of my whole life, that's what alcohol will do for you. You don't have to. I am going to sleep. Thanks for coming Jack. Interesting and key material from the Cameron Todd Willingham case, with annotated highlights Willingham's Writings and a Drawing "You asked me what it was that kept me going, then answered the . SCOTT HONEA Show More Show Less 2 of 5 Top: The aftermath of a . "(In) the infamous words of my famous, legendary brother Nat Turner y'all kiss my black a**. Todd is guilty, the criminal justice system and the courts confirmed his guilt, and he should not be pardoned for his crimes, Stacy said. She stood by that claim in her statement to HuffPost, "I did not want to believe that he could kill our children either, but he did," she said. This is because Willingham was anything but that; he regularly verbally abused and beat his wife, and in some of these instances, the police was called. Karla Faye Tucker Executed 2/3/98"Yes sir, I would like to say to all of you the Thornton family and Jerry Deans family that I am so sorry. That is it. I sent a letter to somebody, you know a letter outlining what I feel about everything. The chilling memoirs, which she recently penned in her book Death Row: The Final Minutes, has now been fully revealed, with every experience unique in its own right. On April 15, 2011, the TFSC issued its final report in the Willingham / Willis cases. . I want to remember Patsy Buntion, Gladys and a lot more friends.I want to thank the prosecutor in my case; it took courage for him to do what he did but he did what he did because he believed in the judicial system.Im not ready to go, but I have no choice; I sent several letters to my family; theyll be very moving when you get them. I will wait for you in Heaven. EXCLUSIVE: Ex-Wife Doesn't Think Texas Man Was Wrongly Executed. 1. And on October 15, the Texas Forensic Science Commission discussed the case in depth at its regular meeting. I, I never was right after that incident happened. Its so sad that in a country like the US which we Ugandans admire and always wish that our lawmakers could benchmark in abid to create a free and unbiased judicial system such loopholes. Its the best magazine article I read this year. Lyon recalled that warden signalled for the execution to begin while he continued hurling insults at her until he finally became silent. Some say Cameron Todd Willingham was wrongfully convicted, and the court put an innocent man to death. From God's dust I came and to dust I will return so the earth shall become my throne. Sunday, September 27, 2009. Willingham was executed by lethal injection in Huntsville on February 17, 2004. I am really so sorry about it, I really am. Gov. "His wife was watching from the witness room and I was told later by the chaplaincy that she had come to witness not on his behalf but as one of the victims. (That blog is a project of the Criminal Justice Legal Foundation, which . I have known the love of a good woman, my wife. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice keeps a record of these last statements. The late Texas native was arrested, tried, convicted, and executed for the murders of his three toddler daughters by arson in their family home on December 23, 1991. Gross negligence and a severe consequence they failed to act on their duties. It turned out the forensic evidence was completely bogus, but he was executed anyway. Image Credit: Stacy Kuykendall / Facebook. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. How 'deluded' Putin thought Ukraine invasion would break up Nato & have West bowing down to Russia, leaked docs show, Man had sex with his wife on bollard after fuming neighbour placed it in cul-de-sac in protest during parking row, 'Bubbly' nightclub worker, 31, killed after her Audi crashed into a bridge on her way home from work, Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). However, Cameron maintained his innocence to his dying breath, and later evidence also suggested that he could have been wrongly executed. Thank you for your love.To the Hancock family, I am sorry for the pain I caused you. If my death gives you any peace, so be it.I want my friends to know it is not the way to die, but I belong to Jesus Christ. Why was the prosecutor and governor not charged with manslaughter? However, she later worked as an official spokesperson for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice where she witnessed the final few hours of the inmates life. Michelle, who has revealed all in her fascinating memoir Death Row: The Final Minutes, told the Daily Mirror: "His last statement was the worst that I had ever seen. I pray Lord, please forgive me. According to an article by The New Yorker, Cameron was unfaithful, a heavy drinker, and physically assaulted Stacy at times, even while pregnant. Some may choose to apologise for their crimes, others take their own route, she also explained. Willingham, who was asleep when the fire started, survived. "Todd is guilty, the criminal justice system and the courts confirmed his guilt, and he should not be pardoned for his crimes," Kuykendall said in an exclusive statement to The Huffington Post. more to his last words than that,however, Choire Lyon recalled that warden signalled for the execution to begin while he continued hurling insults at her until he finally became silent. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. So now, lets find out where she is, shall we? Its the best magazine article I read thisyear. Thanks to Carolyn and Gloria, who have been my friends for over four years. And the statement as Grann reports it is consistent with what we might expect from a person who actually was innocent. He was convicted based on the testimony of forensic experts who said they had determined that the fire was intentionally set and a jailhouse informant who said Willingham had confessed to him. The Innocence Project assembled five of the nations leading independent arson experts to review the evidence in the case, and this prestigious group issued a 48-page report finding that none of the scientific analysis used to convict Willingham was valid. Cameron Todd Willingham Last Words. In 1992, Willingham was convicted of arson-related triple homicide and was executed 12 years later by the death penalty after his three daughters were killed
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