But by 2004, she had declared Willingham guilty. Perhaps most notably, Hurst was able to explain the presence of lighter fluid at the scene: a charcoal grill which had been used . 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. The witness believed the bitch in question was Willinghams ex-wife Stacy, the mother of his daughters. The Innocence Project is affiliated with Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, Yeshiva University. Willingham was convicted of murdering his three daughters by arson in 1992 and was executed on February 17, 2004. Todd is guilty, the criminal justice system and the courts confirmed his guilt, and he should not be pardoned for his crimes, Stacy said. "(In) the infamous words of my famous, legendary brother Nat Turner y'all kiss my black a**. 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." Lyon recalled that warden signalled for the execution to begin while he continued hurling insults at her until he finally became silent. Doubts arise about jailhouse informant Johnny Webb in this excerpt from "Death by Fire," FRONTLINE's 2010 investigation of the controversial case of Cameron Todd Willingham - convicted and executed for the arson deaths of his three young children. 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. He said, The only statement I want to make is that I am an innocent man convicted of a crime I did not commit. You know? This would include meeting with prisoners hours before they died and hearing prison chaplains offer advice to those on death row on how to die well.. Having your wife, whod fought in your corner for so long, change her mind and convict you along with the powers-that-be-well, thats an experience that could easily bring out such a statement right before one is executed. I love you mom. 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. Last words: "The only statement I want to make is that I am an innocent man convicted of a crime I did not commit. My wife, who had been up a flight of stairs, beat me there. My girls would have been 23 and 21 years old today. Scheidegger takes Grann to task for depicting an execution scene more dramatically in line with the articles assertion of Willinghams innocence, and suggests that the omitted vitriol points to a possible motive in the case-something the prosecution struggled to establish incourt. In 2009, she unleashed a startling accusation that Willingham confessed the crime to her when she visited him on death row. 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. I gotta go, road dog. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. I have known the love of a good woman, my wife. A leading arson expert in 2004, however, concluded in a report that the testimony from fire investigators used against Willingham was no longer scientifically valid. Cameron Todd Willingham, delivered a foul-mouthed tirade directed at his ex-wife. However, Cameron maintained his innocence to his dying breath, and later evidence also suggested that he could have been wrongly executed. I love you all and I will see you on the other side. It ends like this: Just before Willingham received the lethal injection, he was asked if he had any last words. I picked it up after finishing Trial By Fire, Grann's 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 . To all of the racist white folks in America that hate black folks and to all of the black folks in America that hate themselves, she claimed he said, while tied to an electric chair. There is a central room and two witnesss rooms divided by a wall, ensuring the two groups never meet. 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. Image Credit: Stacy Kuykendall / Facebook. Todd granted the inspectors permission to search the property. Here are five crucial facts about the case. After a trial of more than two weeks, a Texas jury on Wednesday found that former state prosecutor John Jackson had not committed misconduct in the 1992 death penalty trial of Cameron Todd Willingham. 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.". Warden. Willingham was executed by lethal injection in Huntsville on February 17, 2004. When you are dealing with reality, real is not always what you want it to be. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. "I read that Todds stepmom and cousin are asking the governor for a pardon. Willingham, who was asleep when the fire started, survived. It was me and me alone. The only statement I want to make is that I am an innocent man-convicted of a crime I did not commit. I was in their reformatory schools and penitentiary, but ah, they create monsters in there. 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. "I hope you rot in hell, b--," Willingham said . Cause He is the only one that can give you the strength that you need. Willingham's ex-wife tearfully reiterated her contention Wednesday . The only statement I want to make is that I am an innocent man convicted of a crime I did not commit. ", 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.. I have been persecuted for twelve years for something I did not do. February 8, 2023 by Blessed Antwi. Lyon recalled that warden signalled for the execution to begin while he continued hurling insults at her until he finally became silent. The Case Of Cameron Todd Willingham. . "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. 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 . However, there are some that do produce some heartfelt moments in their final minutes. 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. Take care of my daughters, Kaneisha and Ieisha. She told investigators that they hadn't been fighting and that her husband would never hurt their children. My life is all I can give. Willingham claimed he was awoken by Ambers cries for her Dad but that the blaze was too intense and he had to flee after initially trying to save his daughters, The Daily Star reported. At Willinghams 1992 trial, prosecutors claimed he intentionally set fire to his home in order to kill his own children. I miss them so much.. Is it the whole truth? 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. 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.]. "They don't allow that usually. I stole two lives and I know it was precious to ya'll. From Gods dust I came and to dust I will return-so the earth shall become my throne. A letter to the editor revealed that there was more to his last words than that, however. Please don't ever forget me. In 1991, there was a fire at Willingham's home in Corsicana, Texas that quickly grew into a full blaze, completely engulfing the house. Cameron Todd Willingham who was born on the 9th of January 1968 passed away on the 17th of February 2004. I dont blame Todds stepmom for fighting for her son," Kuykendall said in her statement. My wife had nothing to do with it. 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. On October 14, Texas Judge Charlie Baird held a hearing in the Willingham case to determine whether to hold a court of inquiry. 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. Do you value our journalism? Investigation Discoverys Evil Lives Here: What If He Was Innocent? examines one of the most fascinating tales in American true-crime history by putting the focus on Cameron Todd Willingham once again. ", Raymond Kinnamon Executed 12/11/94"guys like them got tied up in something like this. I write for the Awl, and also a book called Public Apology, for Grand Central Publishing. Stacy Kuykendall, his then-wife, played a significant role in the entire matter by changing her beliefs as well. Willingham's three daughters were killed in a fire a few days before Christmas of 1991. A woman who witnessed nearly 300 executions in the state of Texas has revealed that she is still haunted by the final words of a man who killed his children in a shocking arson. Is it the wholetruth? Ron, give Peggy a hug for me. 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.. He said, the only statement I want to make is that I am an innocent man convicted of a crime. She told the Corsicana Daily Sun that a close examination of the evidence persuaded her that Willingham was not innocent. 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.