Final Justice For Cameron Todd Willingham
Well my dear followers it looks like the State of Texas may soon be writing the final chapter of the "Cameron Todd Willingham" case by November. A special investigation has requested a "inquiry hearing" in this case. Finally Mr. Willingham and his family can rest in peace.
As many of you may know from my other articles regarding this case (all are on hubpages), Cameron was convicted of setting the fire that killed his three children in Corsicana,Texas. He maintained his innocence until the end when he was executed by the state of Texas. At the the time of his execution the Governor of Texas, Rick Perry, had on his desk a report from the Texas Forensic Fire and Science Commission, which he had appointed, that stated that the investigation had given them reason to believe that Cameron did not start the fire. Even up to the last few hours before he was executed he still maintained his innocence. The Commission and Project Innocence requested a 30 day stay of execution from the Governor and was denied. A call to his office was met with the comment "we close at five, by his associate Sharon Kelly" . She was later found to have acted inappropiately in the circumstances, but as is the case most times in Texas she was given only a reprimand. Cameron Todd Willingham was executed a few hours later.
The story of Cameron Todd Willingham is a tragedy that occurs all too often in the State of Texas as we lead the United States in executions. Our politicians are quick to show that we are Texas Tough on crime. The boast " Don't Mess With Texas" rings only too true. But what happens when we make a mistake? How do we return that life? What price can we pay the families that will make it right? As a Texas resident I am glad this has been investigated and moved forward. It has bothered me since I first saw the stories about it. I remember the execution. The Governor and his friend Mr. Bradley would have liked to sweep this case all nice and neat under the rug and left it there, but some persons with a conscience in the investigation demand the truth. I am also glad because as a Texan, though I would never sit in judgment nor participate in the taking of another human beings life, the stain of Cameron's blood is also on my hands. I can only hope that when all is said and done that it will be final justice for Cameron.
I am going to post the entire trial transcript on this article to be read as a pdf. Also to see more of Texas Justice checkout the "Dallas Morning News Death Penalty investigation page" it is full of news stories regarding the way the criminal justice system in Texas is run. The columnist is a really ardent journalist with a excellent view of these type cases. I am happy tp report that thanks to the Innocence Project, Texas has had many of those awaiting death and rotting in our prisons exonerated through their DNA work, much of which was not available at the time of the persons conviction. I will also be working for CURE, a prison reform organization. I will be heading the Texas Chapter. Please click on the link to look at the wonderful job they do. It is through people and organizations such as these that we can prevent another tragedy such as the "Cameron Todd Willingham" case from ever happening again.
God Bless!!
Update
The Special hearing into the handling of the Willingham case was shut down by Govenor Rick Perry and his croonies so it looks like there will be no justice for Cameron or his family, only a big ,dirty, shameful stain on the State of Texas.
Some relevant links
- Cameron Todd Willingham The Ghost That Won't Go Away
Cameron Todd Willingham, executed by the State of Texas on February 17th, 2004 at 06:20 pm by lethal injection. RIP!! Cameron was the 14th person executed in the U.S. in 2004 899th person executed in the... - American Law Institute removes death penalty from " ...
The Texas Death Chamber As an avid follower of both the legal system and laws, and especially the death penalty I don't know how this slipped past me. I live in Texas where using the death penalty has made us... - Texas Inmate Executed Another Recommeded For Commuta...
Danille Simpson, 30, was executed last night, Wednesday November 18. Simpson was convicted for the abduction and slaying of an 84 year old East Texas woman 10 years ago. The victim, Geraldine Davidson was... - The Death Penalty: Wrongfully Executed
The state of Texas is known for - Cameron Todd Willingham The Ghost That Won't Go Away
Cameron Todd Willingham, executed by the State of Texas on February 17th, 2004 at 06:20 pm by lethal injection. RIP!! Cameron was the 14th person executed in the U.S. in 2004 899th person executed in the...
Comments
OH MY GOD. How could he deny the stay of execution knowing that Cameron was innocent??? I am absolutely mortified.... WOW!!!!
I believe in the death penalty, but only until all efforts have been exhausted in finding the prisoner guilty beyond a shadow of a doubt.
Lord have mercy on our souls, the governmental powers that be should hang their heads in shame for not re-evaluating every bit of evidence, no matter how minuscule to save the truly innocent. If the state of Texas can't perform due diligence then the death penalty needs to be voted out.
I've heard too many horror stories of DA's and others in authority unwilling to examine new evidence to stay an execution. This is a horrific dereliction of duty by officers of the court.
I've heard some officials state that performing DNA tests on every prisoner that states their innocence is not cost effective. And we wonder why our nations young have no respect of human life, they learn from us.
- AUTHOR
ac,
so good to see you again. i have been out of sorts these past few months. I am hoping that we will be done with rick perry soon... write some more of that beautiful poetry..can't wait!!
chria
Hello friend...how have you been? This case was so touching for me...Rick Perry is a crook!! Period!!
- AUTHOR
Todd,
I spent 27 years total working in TDC and the court system. I never abused the power entrusted to me as a correctional officer and I am glad I never did since 15 years later my husband is now serving a 10 1/2 year sentence in the Federal Correctional Facility in Big Springs, Texas. He has 5 more years to go. He has been held in lock down in SHU unit since may 4th, he just wrote that he has been extended another 90 days. This because he filed a grivance after his bunkie who was 60+ years old and in a wheelchair with only one leg, died. They left him out in the sun too long and with diabetes he did not last long. My husband filed the grivance and has been in lock down now for 6 months. He is 58 and suffers from major depression and bipolar disorder. They censor our mail, withhold mail and refuse to answer any questions about him or the incident. I suffer from the same disorders and understand where you are coming from about the medications. You know in Texas the TDC answers to no one. The can hide all paperwork under the guise of "protecting the security of the facility".
I do not believe the execution of Cameron Willingham was anything other than a huge mistake by the State of Texas and Rick Perry, and that it should be recognized and in some way be decent by clearing his name, and a monetary settlement issued to his parents who have suffered since his death. EVEN though no amount can replace their loved ones. The hubs you mentioned writing are good and i have found that writing from experience is the best way for me.
warmest regards,
chris
I've not been unlucky enough to have to do any TDC, but I've been in numerous county, and/or city jails, and one detention center-strangely enough. . . .I've got paperwork that "might" mean that I'm NOT a convicted felon. . . but I'm certainly a felon, but only in ways that are, possibly, harmful to myself :-p
I've been thinking about writing a hub about Rick Perry, and another about the DP, and all the mistakes, and possible innocents who've been executed. One mistake is too many, and that's enough to make any reasonable person be against it. Strange how unreasonable and un-Christlike this conservative state full of "Christians" is.
Another hub I might get around to. . . .all the psych meds I used to take, and my thoughts concerning their effectiveness-that ought to be marketable(LOL!).
My "favorite" thing about the Willingham case is the thing about how he must have been a Satanist(as if that were illegal, and as if Satanist normally burned their children to death in cases of arson. . . .never heard that one!). . . .because why? Cameron had, what, Iron Maiden posters on his walls?
Is that a crime? Is that proof of Satanism? . . .and if so. . . Satanism isn't illegal. . . so WHAT THE FUCK?
It's so amazing to me how paranoid, ignorant, redneck idiots can have such important jobs.
- AUTHOR
Todd,
I do appreciate you forwarding my url to your organization. I am always willing to volunteer my time to this purpose. That is one of the saddest things about the Willingham case, I remember Perry stating that he was a bad husband and father, as if to excuse their actions. God forbid we start executing people for being bad parents..I hate to think how many would be gone. But even if that were the case, that was not what he was convicted of and he should not have died for it. As you so rightly stated everyone at some time is a criminal..just not all are caught and convicted. I left the department of corrections because it was so corrupt that the ones supervising the inmates were worse than the inmates themselves. I now work to change the system.
Thanks for visiting.
Warmest regards,
Chris
I sent your profile url to the management of Prison World Community Center. I hope you will excuse me if that is such that you do not appreciate. She's a good friend of mine, the person who runs that site-and I'm a member of it too.
I figure that advocates for humane treatment of the convicted(everyone is a criminal-not everyone is a convicted criminal) and anti-state sponsored murder folk should be able to share information, etc.
Besides having ran some of the same streets-I've other similarities to you, and I'll let you know about that when time permits.
- AUTHOR
Wesman,
Thank you for reading this article. i am both ashamed and angry at Governor Perry, The Criminal Justice System and the ones who think it is okay to take another life as long as you are the state. Texas has been long overdue to be held accountable for the prison crisis and the cruel and inhumane treatment imposed on its prisoners. Cameron lost the ultimate battle but I hope that some good will come from his death. We must not execute one innocent to prevent the escape of a thousand guilty.
Warmest regards,
Christal
Thanks so much for spreading the word-I couldn't have been any more amazed and insulted by a recent e-mail from the re-elect Rick Perry admin of Dallas. My reply . . . .was not kind.
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