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Im not sure Im entirely comfortable with the way Grann structured his ending, in light of Willinghams full statement-but Im not content with Scheideggers takeaway, either. I'm real sorry for it. And ah, I believe I'm going home. Everybody has been so good to me.I love all of you very much. There is a central room and two witnesss rooms divided by a wall, ensuring the two groups never meet. Wake up to the day's most important news. The former journalist said: "You do have some that would just do outlandish stuff. After reading in a local paper that a witness to the execution said that there was more to Willinghams last words than Grann conveyed, Crime and Consequences Kent Scheidegger contacted the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to retrieve a full transcript. He asked Stacy if his tombstone could be erected next to their childrens graves. Yesterday, Willingham's former wife . It ends like this: Just before Willingham received the lethal injection, he was asked if he had any last words. 1. My grandmother is the pillar of the community. 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. Willingham, who was asleep when the fire started, survived. ", Earl Behringer Executed 6/11/97"Its a good day to die. Gov. I have made peace with God. I know Im missing somebody, but if theres anything I have left to say, it would be that I wish I had a Shakespearean vocabulary, but since I was raised in TDC, I missed out on some of my vocabulary.If my words can persuade you to discontinue this practice of executing people, please do so. 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. Then, turning to his wife, who was behind a screen just a few metres away, he said: "I hope you rot in hell, b****. My wife had nothing to do with it. I hope you f***ing rot, c***. Todd had minor burns but no major injury. Cameron Todd Willingham (January 9, 1968 - February 17, 2004) was an American man who was convicted and executed by lethal injection for the murder of his three young children by arson in Corsicana, Texas, on December 23, 1991. In that case, Ernest Willis was exonerated and freed from prison because the forensic evidence was not valid. 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. "I hope y'all don't have a wreck and kill yourselves. Is Granns report the truth? I picked it up after finishing Trial By Fire, Granns story in The New Yorker that made the case that Cameron Todd Willingham, a man executed by the state of Texas in 2004 for murdering his three baby girls by arson, was innocent-that the fire was likely an accident. The pursuit of justice has always been rooted in good will, to succeed those who have been wronged. Did it really make him feel like a king Did he actually think he was capable of getting away with anything? I was in their reformatory schools and penitentiary, but ah, they create monsters in there. Im not sure Im entirely comfortable with the way Grann structured his ending, in light of Willinghams full statement-but Im not content with Scheideggers takeaway, either. 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. For other inquiries, Contact Us. ", 2020 THE SUN, US, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP, Michelle Lyons is a reporter who covered hundreds of executions at a prison in Texas, She said the final words of Cameron Willingham, who killed his three daughters, were some of the worst she heard, Texas mom who witnessed more than 300 executions talks of her experience, Texas mom who witnessed more than 300 executions tells how shes still haunted by child killers last words, Liquor CEO, 46, plummets to his death attempting backflip during Dead & Company concert at New York's Citi Field, Taliban orders British paratroopers out of Afghanistan in a weeks time or it's war, Giant Sturgeon Moon shines above lighthouse in breathtaking snap, Incredible snaps of gravity-defying stunt driver and fog-shrouded viaduct win at pic awards, Disgraced Gov Andrew Cuomo sends farewell message using NY's email alert system to brag about achievements in office, Afghan journalists beaten by Taliban & prevented from making evacuation flight, Giant tortoise thought to be vegetarian kills and eats bird in slo-mo attack, Calls for Biden to RESIGN over Afghanistan crisis grow louder as president jokes he 'may need work after this'. Resources in the case are below, along with background on the role of unvalidated forensics in wrongful convictions. So I hope that you don't find peace, not in my death, but in Christ. Matthews. more to his last words than that, however. Image Credit: Stacy Kuykendall / Facebook. State bar files charges more than 10 years after execution. His body was cremated and his ashes secretly spread on his children's graves by his parents. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. I think of tried everything I could to get in touch with ya'll to express how sorry I am. 1 year old twins: Kameron, Karmon, and two year old: Amber. I recently finished The Lost City of Z, David Granns account of the British explorer Percy Fawcetts final journey in the Amazon basin, where Fawcett disappeared in 1925. On Dec. 23, 1991, a fire consumed the Willingham home, killing Amber, 2, and twins Karmon and Kameron, 1. I deserve what I am getting. "Mothers love their children and always will, no matter what happens in their lives. "Eugenia loved Todd, and I understand why she does not want to face the facts of what he did to our girls," Kuykendall said. 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. Does knowing the full scope of his final statement change the way you feel about Willingham? Fight for the good. I have been persecuted 12 years for something I did not do. In 2009, an arson . Dal momento che Willingham's Nell'esecuzione del 2004 , sono sorte importanti polemiche sulla legittimit del verdetto di colpevolezza e sull'interpretazione . Stacy Kuykendall, his then-wife, played a . "I read that Todds stepmom and cousin are asking the governor for a pardon. This statement contradicted Stacys several others, especially as shed never mentioned such an argument earlier. Is Granns report the truth? Through interviews with Willingham's friends and family, FRONTLINE tells the story of a troubled young man with a history of domestic violence who quickly became the prime suspect in his children . I love you. Willingham's three children -- 2-year-old Amber Kuykendall and 1-year-old twins Karmon and Kameron Willingham, died of smoke inhalation. I dont blame Todds stepmom for fighting for her son," Kuykendall said in her statement. What was did, cannot be undone. You had some lovely girls and I am sorry. . To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. That was until she spoke to him shortly before his execution. All right, Warden, let's do it. Gross negligence and a severe consequence they failed to act on their duties. 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. [Remaining portion of statement omitted due to profanity.]. 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. 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. Love life; live long. 1. It turned out the forensic evidence was completely bogus, but he was executed anyway. (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.). I hope you f***ing rot in hell. I would first of all like to express my sincere gratitude to innocence project org for the noble work youre doing in fighting for justice for those that have been treated unfairly in the eyes of the law. Cameron Todd Willingham Last Words. February 8, 2023 by Blessed Antwi. I stole two lives and I know it was precious to ya'll. Do you value our journalism? Y'all take care and God bless you. They knowingly put an innocent man to death. . I love my parents. O.K. 2. To my family, to my brother Gerard, I love you. 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 . 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. Willingham, who said he was home napping at the time . After reading in a local paper that a witness to the execution said that there was more to Willinghams last words than Grann conveyed, Crime and Consequences Kent Scheidegger contacted the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to retrieve a full transcript. I hope you will accept my apology, even though its too late. I will wait for you in Heaven. On December 23, 1991, a house in Texas burned to the ground. I want to ask if it is in your heart to forgive me. KERA Public TV and Radio for North Texas: Houston Chronicle Op-Ed by Barry Scheck and Patricia Cox. Cameron Todd Willingham's stepmother and cousin, . 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 . "You b****. I hope God will give you peace with this.Baby, I love you. 1. Help us advocate for the innocent by sharing the latest news from the Innocence Project. I thank God for having patience with me. Our system is set in place to protect the people, and acts as a model to prosecute the evil in society. Oh Jesus, Lord God, take me home. Inside were three children: one-year-old twins named Karmon and Kameron, and Amber, a 2 year old. "He directed so much vitriol towards her that the warden actually started the execution as he was talking to make him stop.". Dad loves you. In the days following the devastation, a full investigation would take place. You don't have to. I can only imagine how lonesome he was all by himself. He often said, "Theres nothing left of me." His other relatives are fighting to clear his name. Texas Tribune donors or members may be quoted or mentioned in our stories, or may be the subject of them. Willingham was executed in 2004. I picked it up after finishing Trial By Fire, Granns story in The New Yorker that made the case that Cameron Todd Willingham, a man executed by the state of Texas in 2004 for murdering his three baby girls by arson, was innocent-that the fire was likely an accident. The Case Of Cameron Todd Willingham. Take care of yourselves. Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from the Innocence Project: Take action: Here is what they senthim: Yeah. "(In) the infamous words of my famous, legendary brother Nat Turner y'all kiss my black a**. I will be waiting for you. Rick Perry replaced key members of the panel, delayed the investigation for months. In 2009, she unleashed a startling accusation that Willingham confessed the crime to her when she visited him on death row.