Cameron Todd Willingham, 36, was executed by lethal injection on 17 February 2004 in Huntsville, Texas for the murder of his three children. ", I saved myself from Royal life, Harry says & insists 'sharing's an act of service', Love Island's Olivia Hawkins breaks silence as she returns to the UK, Loose Women star lined up to be Strictly's first contestant in wheelchair, Coronation Street fans horrified as Amy Barlow is raped in disturbing scenes, News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. I love you mom. Thanks to Carolyn and Gloria, who have been my friends for over four years. (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.). Testimony from an informer and the fire investigators convicted him, with the prison informant saying Willingham confessed that he'd started the fire to hide the evidence that his daughters had been abused. Take care of my daughters, Kaneisha and Ieisha. I hope you will accept my apology, even though its too late. The Texas parole board checks with victims' families, the prosecutor and other people involved in the original murder case before deciding whether to recommend that the governor issue a pardon. I, I never was right after that incident happened. Cameron Todd Willingham And The Pentagram Arson via Texas Dept. Then, turning to his wife, who was behind a screen just a few metres away, he said: "I hope you rot in hell, b****. "Shortly before his execution, I spoke to Todd about the murders and he admitted his guilt to me.". Final Texas Forensic Science Commission report on Willingham / Willis cases, Texas Forensic Science Commission History and Key Documents, Myths and Facts About the Willingham Case, the Chicago Tribune published an investigative report, An investigative report in the September 7, 2009, issue of the New Yorker, Read more about the TFSC and download key documents relating to the panel here, John Lentini presentation at Court of Inquiry hearing, Court of Inquiry Petition by Eugenia Willingham and Patricia Willingham Cox, Report of Craig Beyler to the Texas Forensic Science Commission, Expert Panel Report on Willingham and Willis convictions, Innocence Project Filing to Texas Forensic Science Commission, Gerald Hurst Report on Willingham Arson Investigation, Hurst report on Ernest Willis arson investigation, Documents Obtained from Texas via Open Records Act, Visit our Texas Forensic Science Commission page, Texas Forensic Science Commission Set to Discuss Willingham Case and Arson Convictions Statewide, 400 People from 120 Texas Towns Including 15 Exonerated with DNA Testing Urge State Panel to Continue Willingham Probe, New Report Shows that Cameron Todd Willingham, Executed in Texas in 2004, Was Innocent, Innocence Project Submits Two Arson Cases to Texas Commission and Requests System-Wide Review, Thanks to Willingham Inquiry, Old Cases Getting New Look, Forensic Panel Calls for Review of Past Arson Cases, Perry Squashed Texas Execution Probe, Ex-Official Says, Advocates Urge Panel to Continue Willingham Probe, Sam Bassett, the Texas Tribune Interview (Video), Forensic Science Commission Still Has Work To Do, Forensic Panel Should Be Aggressive, Despite AG Opinion, Forensic Panel Off Willingham Case, Attorney General Says, New Leader for Inquiry Into Forensic Evidence, Texas Forensic Panel Adopts Arson Recommendations, Texas Forensic Panel Delays Final Decision in Willingham Arson Case, Arson Experts Testify Investigation Violated Standards, Fire Expert Criticizes Investigation That Led to Execution, Texas Prosecutor Denies Showing Bias in Arson Case, Forensic Panel Criticized Their Leader for Calling Willingham a Guilty Monster, Familys Effort to Clear Name Frames Debate on Executions, At Willingham Hearing, Science Finally Takes Center Stage, Texas Reopens Case of Man Executed For Arson, Murder, Appellate Court Orders Halt to Willingham Inquiry, Court blocks ruling in death-penalty inquiry, Forensic Commissioners Push Back Against Bradley, Forensic Science Commission Takes Up Willingham, Bradley loses, Forensics Panel Will Call Experts, State panel declines to clear investigators in Willingham case, Texas Panel Unwilling to End inquiry in arson case, Panel Unwilling To End Arson Inquiry & Midday Roundup, Looks Like Forensics Chair Bradley Will Lose Battle, Texas Panel Goes Into Closed Session in Arson Case, State Forensic Hearing on Cameron Todd Willingham Arson Case Goes Behind Closed Doors, Texas Inquiry into Disputed Arson Case Could End, Panel Must Clear the Air in Arson Case Investigation, State Forensic Science Commission Takes up Arson Case Again, Fire Marshals Stand by Original Arson Report, Editorial: Forensics Panel Should Hear Experts, Lawmakers Criticize Panels Arson Investigation, Texas Panel Ready to End Disputed Arson Inquiry, Forensic Revolt Again Is In Order (09/12/10), Willingham Case on Science Panels Agenda, Finding Ways to Reduce Wrongful Convictions, Rick Perry Seceded from the People of Texas, Innocence Project Comments on Willingham Case, Texas state board says arson investigators used flawed science, Panel Cites Flawed Science in Arson Case, Commission: No negligence or misconduct by investigators in fatal fire, Forensic Panel Must Resist Panels Efforts at Sabotage, Forensic Panel must Resist Chairs Efforts at Sabotage, Supporting Forensic Reform to Improve the Accuracy of the Criminal Justice System, September 2009 Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on improving forensic science. The arson finding that led to his 1992 conviction has been disputed by numerous fire experts. 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. ", Raymond Kinnamon Executed 12/11/94"guys like them got tied up in something like this. Before prison officials administer the lethal cocktail of drugs used to carry out executions, the condemned prisoners are offered the chance to say their final piece. (Yes, they couldnt resist bringing in Clintonesque.). As incomprehensible as it seems, Scheidegger wrote, we know that some fathers do kill their young children, and anger at the mother is one common reason.. Facts: Two prosecution experts who testified that Willingham was a sociopath had never met him; one was expelled from his professional association three years later for unethical behavior. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. Before this ID episode, Stacy last gave a public statement to The Huffington Post in 2012, when Camerons family was fighting to earn him an acquittal. by Brandi Grissom Thirteen years later, in the days leading up to Willinghams execution, his attorneys sent the governor and the Board of Pardon and Parole a report from Gerald Hurst, a nationally recognized arson expert, saying that Willinghams conviction was based on erroneous forensic analysis. Willingham's three daughters were killed in a fire a few days before Christmas of 1991. Fire investigators determined that the fire was caused by arson and that Willingham used an accelerant to start the blaze. I want to say goodbye again to my boys. And although Stacy did tell investigators about the assault, she always said that her then-husband wasnt capable of hurting their children because she knew him better than anyone else. Yet, Michelle explained that by far the most chilling part of the process is when the inmates are given the opportunity to talk before they depart. 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). Since the pair had been together for about four years and had tied the knot just months before, when Stacy told officers that Cameron would never hurt their children and that they hadnt been fighting, she wasnt challenged. Michelle's book Death Row: The Final Minutes, is available now. 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. He said, the only statement I want to make is that I am an innocent man convicted of a crime. I have made peace with God. I got to go sister, I love you. Despite expert testimony against the arson, and the jailbird informer's retracted confession, he was still sentenced to die. Willingham claimed he tried to rescue them, but the police didn't buy that story, as he was relatively unharmed. The Innocence Project is affiliated with Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, Yeshiva University. It ends like this: Just before Willingham received the lethal injection, he was asked if he had any last words. "They pulled guns out . You've been the best. All right, Warden, let's do it. Willingham's three children -- 2-year-old Amber Kuykendall and 1-year-old twins Karmon and Kameron Willingham, died of smoke inhalation. She told the Corsicana Daily Sun that a close examination of the evidence persuaded her that Willingham was not innocent. Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from the Innocence Project: Take action: Although Willingham fought for his innocence for 12 years on death row, he was executed in . Todd had minor burns but no major injury. Last Statement: Yeah. Willingham's ex-wife said that he . Lyons explained that initially the process made her "completely unbiased and unaffected" by what she saw, as the executions ran like clockwork and lasted a mere few minutes. Willingham was executed by lethal injection in Huntsville on February 17, 2004. In 1991, there was a fire at Willingham's home in Corsicana, Texas that quickly grew into a full blaze, completely engulfing the house. Resources in the case are below, along with background on the role of unvalidated forensics in wrongful convictions. This page is an online memorial to Cameron Todd Willigham, an innocent man who was executed by the state of Texas for a crime he did not commit. I Killed Dirty John - Season 8, Episode 1 Continue to pray for me, I am fine. 1 On 23 December 1991, Cameron Todd Willingham escaped a house fire only to be arrested for the death of his three daughters. 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 . 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. Last week, the pair filed a petition with the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles to recommend a pardon for Willingham. ", Furthermore, a fellow final speech, delivered by Cameron Todd Willingham, saw a tirade directed at his ex-wife, including every swear word you could imagine.. Usually, the warden will allow them to talk for about two minutes. His hopes and dreams became a fantasy. I. I. NTRODUCTION. "He admitted he did it and told me why," she said. Please don't ever forget me. At the time of the fire, Kuykendall and Willingham were newlyweds. On December 23, 1991, a fire destroyed the Corsicana, Texas, home Cameron Todd Willingham shared with his wife and three daughters, killing the three girls. 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. 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. You don't have to. When you are dealing with reality, real is not always what you want it to be. Though, in the case of Cameron Todd Willingham, Willingham has faced the harsh reality . God is real. 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 process usually sees witnesses and the media brought into a small viewing room where the inmate is already strapped to a gurney. A letter to the editor revealed that there was more to his last words than that, however. examination of the evidence persuaded her. We had one guy that was telling jokes, we had another that was referencing a song by a Texas songwriter called 'The Road Goes On Forever And The Party Never Ends.. 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. 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. Cameron Todd Willingham. Lyon recalled that warden signalled for the execution to begin while he continued hurling insults at her until he finally became silent. On the night of January 8, 1992, two weeks after the fire, Willingham was riding in a car with Stacy when SWAT teams surrounded them, forcing them to the side of the road. 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. Photo courtesy Todd Willingham . I just ask you to forgive me and ask the Lord to forgive me for allowing the devil to deceive me. of Criminal Justice. However, Cameron maintained his innocence to his dying breath, and later evidence also suggested that he could have been wrongly executed. Justice denial in Uganda is common due to the existence of a non-indepedent judicial system and rampant corruption that has made the system rot and the question remains of how can justice be administered free and fairly regardless of ones status in the society? Cameron Todd Willingham Last Words. I will be waiting for you. And it is a shame that it had to come to this. The reporter also said she witnessed the last moments of Brian Keith Roberson, who stabbed his neighbors James Boots, 79, and Lillian Boots, 74, to death during a burglary in Dallas in 1986. 1. I gotta go, road dog. Cameron Todd Willingham was executed by the state of Texas on February 17 200 Ten years after that was first published it has now been adapted into a film starring British actor O'Connell as . 1. [Remaining portion of statement omitted due to profanity.]. Aftermath of the fire [Texas State Fire Marshal's Office] On December 23, 1991, fire gutted the home where Cameron Todd Willingham, then 23, lived with his wife, Stacy Kuykendall, and the couple's three daughters: two-year-old Amber Kuykendall and one . "I read that Todds stepmom and cousin are asking the governor for a pardon. Saying that Willingham is guilty is not new for Kuykendall, but it's a 180-degree change from the early years of the case. Is it the whole truth? David Grann, a staff writer at The New Yorker, has presented . What would he say to the victims family? I was in their reformatory schools and penitentiary, but ah, they create monsters in there. Willingham, who said he was home napping at the time . ", Donald Aldrich Executed 10/12/04"Yes sir, I would. ", James Moreland Executed 1/27/00"Dad, I love you both. Matthews. She denied him his wish, later telling a reporter, He took my kids away fromme.. While we can not be sure about where Stacy currently resides, you can find her on her social media accounts, which she uses as a platform to ensure that no one will ever forget her late daughters. Our system is set in place to protect the people, and acts as a model to prosecute the evil in society. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. I gotta go, road dog. He asked Stacy if his tombstone could be erected next to their childrens graves. He was charged and convicted of capital murder and arson, and sentenced to death. I don't know what to say. That's the story of my whole life, that's what alcohol will do for you. Over the years, the former journalist has witnessed hundreds of death row inmates killed by lethal injection - with her first being murderer Javier Cruz in 1998. 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. ", Richard J. Wilkerson Executed 8/31/93"Seeing Through the Eyes of a Death Row Inmate"Sometime I wonder why, why he? My life is all I can give. 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 he was being executed. As a nonprofit newsroom, we rely on members to help keep our stories free and our events open to the public. And the statement as Grann reports it is consistent with what we might expect from a person who actually was innocent. I am so sorry for what all of you had to go through. That was until she spoke to him shortly before his execution. And piranha, and electric eels and anacondas and poisonous insects that attack your eyes and maggots that fester under your skin and toothpick-sized parasite catfish that swim up your penis through your urethra, lodge themselves there with sharp spines, and kill you.