KRIS_NC
08-22-2003, 04:28 PM
AT LEAST HE WENT IN PEACE AND HE WAS READY IF IT HAD TO HAPPEN...WE LOVE YOU HASSAN NO clemency; killer executed
Gov. Mike Easley refuses to stop the death of William Quentin Jones, who killed a man in a 1987 store robbery
By MATTHEW EISLEY AND ANDREA WEIGL, Staff Writers
Confessed murderer William Quentin Jones was executed early today for shooting to death a Raleigh man during a convenience store robbery in 1987.
Gov. Mike Easley denied Jones' clemency request shortly before 9 p.m. Thursday, clearing the way for the execution. The U.S. Supreme Court had declined a few hours earlier to hear an appeal.
Jones, 34, died by lethal injection at 2:16 a.m. at Central Prison in Raleigh, Department of Correction spokeswoman Pamela Walker said. Several of Jones' relatives and survivors of his victim witnessed it.
His execution was North Carolina's first since December and the 24th since executions resumed in 1984 after 23 years. Two executions are planned for September, with more likely before year's end.
Jones' lawyers had asked the nation's highest court to consider his appeal of a July state Supreme Court ruling upholding the legality of the first-degree murder indictment forms of the 203 inmates on North Carolina's death row.
Jones' execution was the first since the state Senate approved legislation in April to halt executions for two years during a study of the state's death penalty system. The House didn't take up the bill, but could next year.
House Co-Speaker Jim Black, a Matthews Democrat, told Easley on Thursday that several House members wanted the governor to postpone Jones' execution, Easley spokeswoman Cari Boyce said. Easley considered the request, she said.
But in a statement issued late Thursday, Easley said, "Having carefully reviewed the clemency petition, I conclude that there are no compelling reasons to invalidate the sentence recommended by the jury and affirmed by the courts."
State Rep. Paul Luebke, a Durham Democrat promoting the execution moratorium, said Black told him Thursday that he hoped Easley would stop all executions until the House can consider the moratorium.
Black didn't return numerous telephone messages Wednesday and Thursday.
A deadly robbery
Jones' crime was brutal.
On March 7, 1987, Jones, then 18, burst into the Fast Fare store at Person and Franklin streets north of downtown. Jones immediately fired six shots from a 9 mm handgun, injuring the store clerk and a customer.
Then Jones turned to his right and fired four shots at Ed Peebles, 32, a Raleigh plasterer who had stopped by for a cup of coffee and cigarettes; two struck him.
Jones ordered the terrified clerk to open the cash register, which Jones then dragged out of the store. The shootings and robbery were captured on the store's surveillance videotape.
Jones pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and was twice sentenced to death. Jurors found that Jones showed no remorse , although he has recently expressed regret.
Jones' lawyers urged clemency on the grounds that Jones had been mentally unstable, that he suffered a violent childhood, that evidence of his remorse after the killing was withheld from the jury and that his sentence was disproportionate.
Since taking office in 2001, Democrat Easley -- a former prosecutor and state attorney general -- has granted clemency in two of 12 other cases.
Jones' final hours
By 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Jones was eating his last meal, said Pam Walker, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Correction. Jones requested a tossed salad with shredded carrots, cheese and Thousand Island dressing, plus a soda, The Associated Press reported.
At an evening prayer service for Jones at Raleigh's Pullen Memorial Baptist Church, Cissy McKissick , 42, of Raleigh read a poem by Jones, her pen pal, titled "Yonder." She said it was about Jones' accepting responsibility, expressing remorse and transforming himself in prison.
About 50 moratorium supporters and death penalty opponents walked from the church to the prison, where they held candles, sang hymns and carried signs. One said, "Do not kill Quentin Jones in my name."
Several of Jones' relatives took turns visiting him and saying goodbye. "He held up real strong," said sister-in-law Lisa Jones, 31.
During an interview Tuesday, Jones said he was determined not to fear death. He said his concern was receiving forgiveness from Peebles in the afterlife.
"I need to tell him to his face that I'm sorry," Jones said. "I will suffer until I can do that. If I die Friday, I will get my chance to tell him. I will ask my Creator for the chance to speak to him. That is my wish."
EVERYONE INVOLVED IN THIS MURDER BY THE STATE WILL HAVE TO SUFFER IF NOT NOW IN THE AFTERLIFE
HASSAN, WE KNOW YOU ARE IN A BETTER PLACE AND WATCHING OVER US, YOU ARE OUR GUARDIAN ANGEL. WE LOVE YOU. KRIS, KORI AND TARIQ
Gov. Mike Easley refuses to stop the death of William Quentin Jones, who killed a man in a 1987 store robbery
By MATTHEW EISLEY AND ANDREA WEIGL, Staff Writers
Confessed murderer William Quentin Jones was executed early today for shooting to death a Raleigh man during a convenience store robbery in 1987.
Gov. Mike Easley denied Jones' clemency request shortly before 9 p.m. Thursday, clearing the way for the execution. The U.S. Supreme Court had declined a few hours earlier to hear an appeal.
Jones, 34, died by lethal injection at 2:16 a.m. at Central Prison in Raleigh, Department of Correction spokeswoman Pamela Walker said. Several of Jones' relatives and survivors of his victim witnessed it.
His execution was North Carolina's first since December and the 24th since executions resumed in 1984 after 23 years. Two executions are planned for September, with more likely before year's end.
Jones' lawyers had asked the nation's highest court to consider his appeal of a July state Supreme Court ruling upholding the legality of the first-degree murder indictment forms of the 203 inmates on North Carolina's death row.
Jones' execution was the first since the state Senate approved legislation in April to halt executions for two years during a study of the state's death penalty system. The House didn't take up the bill, but could next year.
House Co-Speaker Jim Black, a Matthews Democrat, told Easley on Thursday that several House members wanted the governor to postpone Jones' execution, Easley spokeswoman Cari Boyce said. Easley considered the request, she said.
But in a statement issued late Thursday, Easley said, "Having carefully reviewed the clemency petition, I conclude that there are no compelling reasons to invalidate the sentence recommended by the jury and affirmed by the courts."
State Rep. Paul Luebke, a Durham Democrat promoting the execution moratorium, said Black told him Thursday that he hoped Easley would stop all executions until the House can consider the moratorium.
Black didn't return numerous telephone messages Wednesday and Thursday.
A deadly robbery
Jones' crime was brutal.
On March 7, 1987, Jones, then 18, burst into the Fast Fare store at Person and Franklin streets north of downtown. Jones immediately fired six shots from a 9 mm handgun, injuring the store clerk and a customer.
Then Jones turned to his right and fired four shots at Ed Peebles, 32, a Raleigh plasterer who had stopped by for a cup of coffee and cigarettes; two struck him.
Jones ordered the terrified clerk to open the cash register, which Jones then dragged out of the store. The shootings and robbery were captured on the store's surveillance videotape.
Jones pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and was twice sentenced to death. Jurors found that Jones showed no remorse , although he has recently expressed regret.
Jones' lawyers urged clemency on the grounds that Jones had been mentally unstable, that he suffered a violent childhood, that evidence of his remorse after the killing was withheld from the jury and that his sentence was disproportionate.
Since taking office in 2001, Democrat Easley -- a former prosecutor and state attorney general -- has granted clemency in two of 12 other cases.
Jones' final hours
By 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Jones was eating his last meal, said Pam Walker, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Correction. Jones requested a tossed salad with shredded carrots, cheese and Thousand Island dressing, plus a soda, The Associated Press reported.
At an evening prayer service for Jones at Raleigh's Pullen Memorial Baptist Church, Cissy McKissick , 42, of Raleigh read a poem by Jones, her pen pal, titled "Yonder." She said it was about Jones' accepting responsibility, expressing remorse and transforming himself in prison.
About 50 moratorium supporters and death penalty opponents walked from the church to the prison, where they held candles, sang hymns and carried signs. One said, "Do not kill Quentin Jones in my name."
Several of Jones' relatives took turns visiting him and saying goodbye. "He held up real strong," said sister-in-law Lisa Jones, 31.
During an interview Tuesday, Jones said he was determined not to fear death. He said his concern was receiving forgiveness from Peebles in the afterlife.
"I need to tell him to his face that I'm sorry," Jones said. "I will suffer until I can do that. If I die Friday, I will get my chance to tell him. I will ask my Creator for the chance to speak to him. That is my wish."
EVERYONE INVOLVED IN THIS MURDER BY THE STATE WILL HAVE TO SUFFER IF NOT NOW IN THE AFTERLIFE
HASSAN, WE KNOW YOU ARE IN A BETTER PLACE AND WATCHING OVER US, YOU ARE OUR GUARDIAN ANGEL. WE LOVE YOU. KRIS, KORI AND TARIQ