softheart
06-10-2004, 11:20 AM
INDIANA:
The 1-month countdown has begun toward the July 9 execution of Darnell
Williams, who lost a high-profile appeal late last month.
The Indiana Parole Board signaled the occasion Wednesday by scheduling
another round of clemency hearings, which will put Williams' fate in the
hands of Gov. Joseph Kernan.
The clemency schedule includes an interview with Williams June 21 at the
Indiana State Prison in Michigan City, followed by a public hearing June
28 at the Indiana Government Center in Indianapolis.
The board will reconvene June 29 at the government center to vote on its
recommendation to Kernan.
The board will have the option of either granting or denying Williams'
request for clemency, said Pam Pattison, spokeswoman for the Indiana
Department of Correction.
The governor is not bound by the recommendation, she said.
If clemency is granted, Williams' likely would be sentenced to life
without the possibility of parole, Pattison said. If denied, Williams will
likely die by lethal injection before sunrise July 9.
Defense attorney Juliet Yackel, who could not be reached Wednesday for
comment, said last month she intended to pursue every legal remedy
available, including further court appeals.
The execution would be carried out at the state prison in Michigan City.
Williams has been moved to the facility for the final 30-day countdown.
The Indiana Supreme Court handed down the execution order last month
stating Williams failed to produce any evidence undermining his death
sentence or his role in the Aug. 12, 1986 shooting deaths of John and
Henrietta Rease, both of Gary.
The evidence in question includes DNA testing the court previously denied.
The late Gov. Frank O'Bannon granted the testing just days before
Williams' last execution date of Aug. 1.
The DNA testing determined neither of the 2 blood stains found on
Williams' shorts matched Henrietta Rease and one spot failed to match the
blood of John Rease. One spot proved to be inconclusive as to John Rease's
blood, which the Supreme Court said leaves the door open as to Williams'
guilt.
The court reiterated its stand that there is other overwhelming evidence
of Williams' guilt, including numerous witnesses who place Williams in the
house at the time of the shootings.
The court rejected a claim that key witness Derrick Bryant lied when
identifying Williams as a gunman and the state knew about it, and the
argument Williams' death sentence should be vacated because his
co-defendant, Gregory Rouster, was taken off death row after it was
determined he is legally retarded.
(source: Northwest Indiana Times)
The 1-month countdown has begun toward the July 9 execution of Darnell
Williams, who lost a high-profile appeal late last month.
The Indiana Parole Board signaled the occasion Wednesday by scheduling
another round of clemency hearings, which will put Williams' fate in the
hands of Gov. Joseph Kernan.
The clemency schedule includes an interview with Williams June 21 at the
Indiana State Prison in Michigan City, followed by a public hearing June
28 at the Indiana Government Center in Indianapolis.
The board will reconvene June 29 at the government center to vote on its
recommendation to Kernan.
The board will have the option of either granting or denying Williams'
request for clemency, said Pam Pattison, spokeswoman for the Indiana
Department of Correction.
The governor is not bound by the recommendation, she said.
If clemency is granted, Williams' likely would be sentenced to life
without the possibility of parole, Pattison said. If denied, Williams will
likely die by lethal injection before sunrise July 9.
Defense attorney Juliet Yackel, who could not be reached Wednesday for
comment, said last month she intended to pursue every legal remedy
available, including further court appeals.
The execution would be carried out at the state prison in Michigan City.
Williams has been moved to the facility for the final 30-day countdown.
The Indiana Supreme Court handed down the execution order last month
stating Williams failed to produce any evidence undermining his death
sentence or his role in the Aug. 12, 1986 shooting deaths of John and
Henrietta Rease, both of Gary.
The evidence in question includes DNA testing the court previously denied.
The late Gov. Frank O'Bannon granted the testing just days before
Williams' last execution date of Aug. 1.
The DNA testing determined neither of the 2 blood stains found on
Williams' shorts matched Henrietta Rease and one spot failed to match the
blood of John Rease. One spot proved to be inconclusive as to John Rease's
blood, which the Supreme Court said leaves the door open as to Williams'
guilt.
The court reiterated its stand that there is other overwhelming evidence
of Williams' guilt, including numerous witnesses who place Williams in the
house at the time of the shootings.
The court rejected a claim that key witness Derrick Bryant lied when
identifying Williams as a gunman and the state knew about it, and the
argument Williams' death sentence should be vacated because his
co-defendant, Gregory Rouster, was taken off death row after it was
determined he is legally retarded.
(source: Northwest Indiana Times)