softheart
02-01-2005, 12:15 PM
INDIANA----new execution date
Execution date set for convicted killer
The Indiana Supreme Court has set an execution date for a man convicted 23
years ago of killing an Evansville family, putting an end to the
longest-running appeal of any Indiana death-row inmate.
The court ruled Monday that Donald Ray Wallace, 47, is to be executed on
March 10 at the Indiana State Prison in Michigan City.
Earlier this month, the high court for the 4th time rejected an attempt by
Wallace's public defender to overturn his sentence. Wallace was convicted
in 1982 of shooting to death Patrick Gilligan, his wife, Theresa, their
daughter, Lisa, 5, and 4-year-old son, Gregory.
The Gilligans were killed Jan. 14, 1980 after surprising Wallace as he
burglarized their home.
Wallace still can appeal to Gov. Mitch Daniels for clemency.
But in letters written to the Evansville Courier & Press over the last
several months, Wallace said he has told his attorneys to not seek
clemency, although court staff said the option was still open to him.
The execution order has long been awaited by Vanderburgh County Prosecutor
Stan Levco, who as a young deputy prosecutor worked to put Wallace on
death row.
"Over the last year, it's become more of a reality to me that this
execution was finally going to happen," Levco said. "But it's been so
long, it's still hard to believe."
Wallace had claimed in his appeals that his legal counsel at his
sentencing was ineffective and failed to present sufficient mitigating
evidence that would have generated sympathy for Wallace.
The U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago in March denied his
request to have his death sentence set aside.
Diana Harrington, Theresa Gilligan's sister, said Levco, who has kept in
touch with her over the last 25 years, called her family Monday evening to
inform them of the execution order.
"I can't quite believe it," she said. "It's just been so long."
She said she expected to feel a rush of anger and bitterness toward
Wallace. Instead, she said, she found herself saying prayers of gratitude
for the years of support from the Evansville community, and prayers of
concern for Wallace's family.
"The support has been very important in our lives, Harrington said in a
statement she released late Monday. "We hold only Donald Wallace
responsible for his actions and recognize what a difficult time this is
for his family."
Wallace, along with 24 other death row inmates, has been held at the
Maximum Control Facility in Westville since 2003 because of renovation
work on death row at the Indiana State Prison. Wallace was expected to be
transported the 10 miles back to the state prison 30 days before his
execution.
(source: Associated Press)
Execution date set for convicted killer
The Indiana Supreme Court has set an execution date for a man convicted 23
years ago of killing an Evansville family, putting an end to the
longest-running appeal of any Indiana death-row inmate.
The court ruled Monday that Donald Ray Wallace, 47, is to be executed on
March 10 at the Indiana State Prison in Michigan City.
Earlier this month, the high court for the 4th time rejected an attempt by
Wallace's public defender to overturn his sentence. Wallace was convicted
in 1982 of shooting to death Patrick Gilligan, his wife, Theresa, their
daughter, Lisa, 5, and 4-year-old son, Gregory.
The Gilligans were killed Jan. 14, 1980 after surprising Wallace as he
burglarized their home.
Wallace still can appeal to Gov. Mitch Daniels for clemency.
But in letters written to the Evansville Courier & Press over the last
several months, Wallace said he has told his attorneys to not seek
clemency, although court staff said the option was still open to him.
The execution order has long been awaited by Vanderburgh County Prosecutor
Stan Levco, who as a young deputy prosecutor worked to put Wallace on
death row.
"Over the last year, it's become more of a reality to me that this
execution was finally going to happen," Levco said. "But it's been so
long, it's still hard to believe."
Wallace had claimed in his appeals that his legal counsel at his
sentencing was ineffective and failed to present sufficient mitigating
evidence that would have generated sympathy for Wallace.
The U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago in March denied his
request to have his death sentence set aside.
Diana Harrington, Theresa Gilligan's sister, said Levco, who has kept in
touch with her over the last 25 years, called her family Monday evening to
inform them of the execution order.
"I can't quite believe it," she said. "It's just been so long."
She said she expected to feel a rush of anger and bitterness toward
Wallace. Instead, she said, she found herself saying prayers of gratitude
for the years of support from the Evansville community, and prayers of
concern for Wallace's family.
"The support has been very important in our lives, Harrington said in a
statement she released late Monday. "We hold only Donald Wallace
responsible for his actions and recognize what a difficult time this is
for his family."
Wallace, along with 24 other death row inmates, has been held at the
Maximum Control Facility in Westville since 2003 because of renovation
work on death row at the Indiana State Prison. Wallace was expected to be
transported the 10 miles back to the state prison 30 days before his
execution.
(source: Associated Press)