The 16,000-word article by David Grann shows that all of the evidence used against Willingham was invalid, including the forensic analysis, the informants testimony, other witness testimony and additional circumstantial evidence. On 23 December 1991, the Corsicana home of Cameron Willingham burned. 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 was in their reformatory schools and penitentiary, but ah, they create monsters in there. With Jack O'Connell, Laura Dern, Emily Meade, Chris Coy. He is fixing to find out some deep things that are real. 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. By Maurice Possley. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. Fade to black. 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. Some say Cameron Todd Willingham was wrongfully convicted, and the court put an innocent man to death. Michelle Lyons, who worked as a journalist for The Huntsville Item between the years of 2000 and 2012, recently recalled some of the prisoners final words - admitting that some she will never forget. Oh Jesus, Lord God, take me home. CORSICANA More than five years after his final act from the Texas death chamber gurney was a profanity-filled tirade, the murder case of executed inmate Cameron Todd Willingham refuses to die. I have made peace with God. 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. I don't deserve to cause you pain. Earlier this month the bar lodged a petition in Navarro County, near Dallas, alleging that John Jackson withheld evidence that pointed to the innocence of Cameron Todd Willingham, who was executed . For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/, 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, Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). Stacy Kuykendall, his then-wife, played a . 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. I miss them so much.. 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. The meeting adjourned without action on the draft addendum, however. In 2009, an arson expert hired by the commission issued a report finding that experts who testified at Willinghams trial should have known it was wrong at the time. Ah, you have been a blessing to me and I love you all and one day I will see y'all, so I hope y'all find y'all peace, comfort, and strength in Christ Jesus alone, because that's where it's at. ", 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'. 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. Documents obtained by the Innocence Project show that state officials received that report but apparently did not act on it. 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. It ends like this: Just before Willingham received the lethal injection, he was asked if he had any last words. Momma, I will always love you. Standing in the way of a pardon for a Texas man that his family considers was wrongly convicted and executed is his ex-wife. Here is what they senthim: Yeah. In 2009, she unleashed a startling accusation that Willingham confessed the crime to her when she visited him on death row. You did not deserve this. Despite expert testimony against the arson, and the jailbird informer's retracted confession, he was still sentenced to die. Fade to black. I am at peace with God. If my death gives you any peace, so be it.I want my friends to know it is not the way to die, but I belong to Jesus Christ. "I hope y'all don't have a wreck and kill yourselves. Todd had minor burns but no major injury. The case was originally prosecuted by the Navarro County district attorney. 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.. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. Rick Perry turned down an eleventh-hour request to stop the execution. Why was the prosecutor and governor not charged with manslaughter? (Yes, they couldnt resist bringing in Clintonesque.). Warden Baggett, thank all of you so much. Help us advocate for the innocent by sharing the latest news from the Innocence Project. Cameron Todd Willingham (January 9, 1968 - February 17, 2004) was an American man who was convicted and executed for the murder of his three young children by arson at the family home in Corsicana, Texas, on December 23, 1991.Since Willingham's 2004 execution, significant controversy has arisen over the legitimacy of the guilty verdict and the interpretation of the evidence that was used to . My grandmother is the pillar of the community. I love you mom. I have been persecuted for twelve years for something I did not do. "Shortly before his execution, I spoke to Todd about the murders and he admitted his guilt to me.". Theres nothing left but the memory of those who lay dead. SCOTT HONEA Show More Show Less 2 of 5 Top: The aftermath of a . Do you value our journalism? ", 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.. Show us with your support. I have been persecuted for 12 years for something I did not do. In July 2011, Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott issued an opinion in response to questions from the commission about jurisdiction and authority. She explained that on the day of his execution, he thanked her for helping him meet with police officers so he could confess to other crimes he'd committed because he hadnt wanted to die with them on his conscience., News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. "Todd is guilty, the criminal justice system and the courts confirmed his guilt, and he should not be pardoned for his crimes," Kuykendall said in an exclusive statement to The Huffington Post. Why did he go out into the world to see? 1 of 5 Cameron Todd Willingham waits for guards to take him back to his cell on death row days before his execution on Feb. 17, 2004. She said the final words of Cameron Willingham, who killed his three daughters, were some of the worst she heard "His last statement was the worst I had ever seen," she told The Mirror. Like I said, I am sorry for hurting your family. She reversed herself shortly before his 2004 execution, declaring that she now considered him guilty for murdering their 2-year-old daughter and her 1-year . Her words could hinder the latest attempts by Willingham's stepmother Eugenia Willingham and cousin Patricia Willingham Cox to alter his record. Cameron Todd Willingham's stepmother and cousin, . "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, she added. You know what I'm saying. I think of tried everything I could to get in touch with ya'll to express how sorry I am. . 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. 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. I have a good family. She denied him his wish, later telling a reporter, He took my kids away fromme.. The Case Of Cameron Todd Willingham. That's it, I have nothing else to say. ", James Moreland Executed 1/27/00"Dad, I love you both. Its basically like reading a 300-page Indiana Jones movie that teaches you important and incredible things about the world. S2010 E14 - 1m 42s. I hope you f***ing rot, c***. I knew I would pay with struggle and strife, but I never thought the cost would be me losing my life.Written through his sister, Michelle Winn, Robert Carter Executed 5/31/00"To the Davis family, I am sorry for all of the pain that I caused your family. 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. What was did, cannot be undone. In Edward Zwick's new film "Trial By Fire," opening Friday, these words are spoken by an arson investigator testifying in the murder trial of Cameron Todd Willingham, the Corsicana man . Stacy Kuykendall, his then-wife, played a significant role in the entire matter by changing her beliefs as well. Cameron Todd Willingham's words before his execution. From Gods dust I came and to dust I will return-so the earth shall become my throne. Is it the wholetruth? He said, the only statement I want to make is that I am an innocent man convicted of a crime. Well, Grann doesnt actually say those words are the very last, but that is certainly the picture the reader gets. 3. Exact date yellow weather warning for snow and ice forecast to hit UK - will you be affected? 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. Who called the fire department? I am so sorry for what all of you had to go through. 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. Here is what they sent him: Yeah. 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. (That blog is a project of the Criminal Justice Legal Foundation, which . In 1992, Willingham was convicted of arson-related triple homicide and was executed 12 years later by the death penalty after his three daughters were killed The undeniable facts of the Cameron Todd Willingham case are these: On Dec. 23, 1991, 2-year-old Amber Louise Kuykendall, and 1-year-old twins Karmon Diane Willingham and Kameron Marie Willingham died in a mid-morning house fire at 1213 W. 11th Ave. in Corsicana. She denied him his wish, later telling a reporter, He took my kids away from me.. In 2009, Stacy even went as far as to claim that during one of her final visits to Cameron while he was on death row, he confessed to the crime by stating that it was his response to her divorce threat from the night before. Months after Willingham was executed, the Chicago Tribune published an investigative report that raised questions about the forensic analysis. I stole two lives and I know it was precious to ya'll. 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. "I have been persecuted for 12 years for something I did not do. Take care of yourselves. 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. After all, she also agreed to take to the stands to state the same during his trial. From God's dust I came and to dust I will return so the earth shall become my throne. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. Tell my kids I love them. I have asked myself, why did he get involved with drugs? But others she admits are very hard to forget as she recalled the horrific final words of one inmate. Some may choose to apologise for their crimes, others take their own route, she also explained. I know I allowed the devil to rule my life. Apart from a few rare interviews, she doesnt let her past interfere with her day to day life. 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. 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.. Perhaps it goes without saying but producing quality journalism isn't cheap. 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. Our system is set in place to protect the people, and acts as a model to prosecute the evil in society. You bitch; I hope you fucking rot, cunt. Last Statement: Yeah. I never knew I would take a life and commit a crime. He was known as an American man who was convicted and executed after he murdered three young children by arson at the family home in Corsicana, Texas, on the 23rd of . I gotta go, road dog. But others she admits are very hard to forget as she recalled the horrific final words of one inmate. In 1991, there was a fire at Willingham's home in Corsicana, Texas that quickly grew into a full blaze, completely engulfing the house. Its the best magazine article I read thisyear. Unaware of Hursts report, she had determined that Willingham was guilty. His wife was at the Salvation Army buying Christmas presents for the girls. As Willingham's relatives seek to erase his conviction, with experts dismissing the original fire investigation as primitive and conducted using out-of-date techniques, Kuykendall renewed her insistence that her ex-husband started the blaze. Innocence Project Co-Director Barry Scheck responded that the the reasoning of the opinion is wrong and contrary to the clear intention of the legislature when it formed the Commission.. 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. Michelle's book Death Row: The Final Minutes, is available now. Here are five crucial facts about the case. I, I never was right after that incident happened. According to an article by The New Yorker, Cameron was unfaithful, a heavy drinker, and physically assaulted Stacy at times, even while pregnant. Details of the case. She reversed herself shortly before his 2004 execution, declaring that she now considered him guilty for murdering their 2-year-old daughter and her 1-year-old twin sisters. And on October 15, the Texas Forensic Science Commission discussed the case in depth at its regular meeting. Take care of my daughters, Kaneisha and Ieisha. Thanks to Carolyn and Gloria, who have been my friends for over four years. The witness believed the bitch in question was Willinghams ex-wife Stacy, the mother of his daughters. He knew the thought of life wasnt ticking in his head. "He admitted he did it and told me why," she said. 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. Excerpt follows. You've been the best. Though she hadn't said this to investigators or during his trial, Kuykendall said she threatened to divorce Willingham the night before the fire. Sicha, Michael I walked in here like a man and I am leaving here like a man. ", George Whitaker III Executed 11/12/08"First off I'd like to say to Mr. and Mrs. Carrier, I apologize for your pain and suffering. On October 28, 2011, the commission issued the report addendum. Although Willingham fought for his innocence for 12 years on death row, he was executed in . (Yes, they couldnt resist bringing in Clintonesque.). Case creates controversy as governor resists and arson experts are challenged. My wife, who had been up a flight of stairs, beat me there. 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. Im sorry and my head wasnt on straight. Sometimes officers were forced to gas them out of cells, strap up their heads and even give chase across prison grounds. He was charged and convicted of capital murder and arson, and sentenced to death. The only statement I want to make is that I am an innocent man convicted of a crime I did not commit. Take care. 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.. I grew up in New Jersey. 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. 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. I was raised by the California Youth Authority, I can't really pin point where it started, what happened, but really believe that's just the bottom line, what happened to me was in California. Continue to pray for me, I am fine. However, Cameron maintained his innocence to his dying breath, and later evidence also suggested that he could have been wrongly executed.