Cameron Willingham

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Cameron Todd Willingham (January 9, 1968 – February 17, 2004), born in Carter County, Oklahoma, was sentenced to death by the state of Texas for murdering his three daughters—two year old Amber Louise Kuykendall, and one year old twins Karmon Diane Willingham and Kameron Marie Willingham— by setting his house on fire. The fire occurred on December 23, 1991 in Corsicana, Texas. Lighter fluid was kept on the front porch of Willingham’s house as evidenced by a melted container found there. Some of this fluid may have entered the front doorway of the house carried along by fire hose water. It was alleged this fluid was deliberately poured to start the fire and that Willingham chose this entranceway so as to impede rescue attempts. The prosecution also used other arson theories that have since been brought into question.

Fire investigator Gerald L. Hurst reviewed the case documents including the trial transcripts and an hour-long videotape of the aftermath of the fire scene. Hurst said, "There's nothing to suggest to any reasonable arson investigator that this was an arson fire. It was just a fire." However, unlike the state's investigators, Hurst was not present at the scene and so could not review the evidence in the first person.

In addition to the arson evidence, a jailhouse informant claimed Willingham confessed, and neighbors testified that Willingham did not try to save his children. They allege he crouched in his front yard and watched as the house burned when only a small amount of smoke was visible and never attempted to enter his home to help his children. He did not run to neighbors and ask them to call the fire department. As firefighters arrived, however, he risked his life to push his car away from the now burning building, requesting firefighters do the same rather than put out the fire. After the fire Willingham showed no emotion at the death of his children and spent the next day sorting through the debris, laughing and playing music. He expressed anger after finding his dartboard burned in the fire.

After his conviction, he and his wife divorced. She later stated that she believed that Willingham was guilty. Prosecutors alleged this was part of a pattern of behavior intended to rid himself of his children. It began when he beat his pregnant wife over the stomach with a telephone to induce a miscarriage.

Dr. James Grigson testified at sentencing that Willingham cannot be rehabilitated in any manner, and that he poses a continuing threat to society.

When asked if he had a final statement, Willingham said: "Yeah. 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 for 12 years for something I did not do. From God's dust I came and to dust I will return - so the earth shall become my throne. I gotta go, road dog. I love you Gabby."

However, his final words were directed at his ex-wife. He turned to her and said "I hope you rot in hell, bitch" several times while attempting to extend his middle finger in an obscene gesture.

He was executed by lethal injection on February 17, 2004.

Subsequent to that date, persistent questions have been raised as to the accuracy of the forensic evidence used in the conviction, specifically, whether it can be proven that an accelerant (such as the lighter fluid mentioned above) was used to start the fatal fire.[1] If that is not so, then the base of the prosecution case's was very weak. Willingham's family have petitioned Texas authorities for a re-examination of the case but have never received a reply.[2]

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Texas Moratorium Network: CNN's Anderson Cooper to Air Report on Cameron Willingham Tonight
  2. ^ Families of two innocent men deliver letters to Governor's Mansion asking for investigation and moratorium on executions by Texas Students Against the Death Penalty — 7th annual march stop executions austin texas death penalty carlos de luna ruben cantu | Gather

[edit] See also

[edit] References