Precious Lord. Stacy Kuykendall prefers to remain out of the spotlight. In July 2011, Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott issued an opinion in response to questions from the commission about jurisdiction and authority. 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 . ", 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. In that case, Ernest Willis was exonerated and freed from prison because the forensic evidence was not valid. I have known the love of a good woman, my wife. SCOTT HONEA Show More Show Less 2 of 5 Top: The aftermath of a . 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. From Gods dust I came and to dust I will return-so the earth shall become my throne. That process could take months. Bounce back, baby. I hope God will give you peace with this.Baby, I love you. Michelle's book Death Row: The Final Minutes, is available now. As previously revealed by The Sun, Lyons says this can sometimes be an arduous process as some refuse to die quietly. Warden Baggett, thank all of you so much. 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. 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. From Gods dust I came and to dust I will return, so the Earth shall become my throne.. I can't imagine losing two children. Who are Cameron Willingham's children? 36-year-old Willingham flicked a middle finger at his wife, Stacy Kuykendall, as he was strapped down to the gurney for his execution in 2004. Thanks for coming Jack. 2. 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. Y'all take care and God bless you. I love you too Pop, keep your head up. The opinion prohibits the commission from investigating specific items of evidence that were tested or offered into evidence prior to September 1, 2005. She told the Corsicana Daily Sun that a close examination of the evidence persuaded her that Willingham was not innocent. TIL that the real last words of Cameron Todd Willingham, executed in 2004 but now widely believed to be innocent, were a stream of curses directed at his ex-wife who was watching the execution and who claimed that he had confessed to her . What would he say to the victims family? I have a good family. Willingham's former probation officer and a judge both directly refute any notion that he was a sociopath. Some may choose to apologise for their crimes, others take their own route, she also explained. I sent a letter to somebody, you know a letter outlining what I feel about everything. Willingham's actual final words were a venom-filled curse at his ex-wife as he attempted an obscene gesture, Cook reported. They had died in the blaze. (Yes, they couldnt resist bringing in Clintonesque.). 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. 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. 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. Mon, Feb 27, 2023 LOGIN . (That blog is a project of the Criminal Justice Legal Foundation, which describes itself as the only public interest law foundation in the nation working full time to strengthen law enforcements ability to assure that crime does not pay. Its advisers include Edwin Meese III, who is also associated with the Heritage Foundation.). Interesting and key material from the Cameron Todd Willingham case, with annotated highlights Willingham's Writings and a Drawing "You asked me what it was that kept me going, then answered the . In September 2011, the TFSC met to consider an addendum to its final report on the Willingham and Willis cases. Lyon recalled that warden signalled for the execution to begin while he continued hurling insults at her until he finally became silent. In 1991, there was a fire at Willingham's home in Corsicana, Texas that quickly grew into a full blaze, completely engulfing the house. Though, in the case of Cameron Todd Willingham, Willingham has faced the harsh reality . I'm real sorry for it. Michelle Lyons worked as a newspaper reporter and a Texas state employee at the jail and said Willingham was swearing and yelling at his wife, Stacy Kuykendall, even as he was being executed. I hope you rot in hell, bitch; I hope you fucking rot in hell, bitch. I love you mom. In the days following the devastation, a full investigation would take place. He said, The only statement I want to make is that I am an innocent man convicted of a crime I did not commit. That isit. You know? KERA Public TV and Radio for North Texas: Houston Chronicle Op-Ed by Barry Scheck and Patricia Cox. Take me home. Photo courtesy Todd Willingham . I thank God for having patience with me. Warden. I love you Gabby." Also back in October, but apparently, near-totally unnoticed, there was a post over on the legal blog Crime and Consequences that finally did print all of Willinghams final words. 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.. That is it.". 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. My grandmother is the pillar of the community. 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 . . The case was originally prosecuted by the Navarro County district attorney. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. Inside were three children: one-year-old twins named Karmon and Kameron, and Amber, a 2 year old. 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.". 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. 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 in court. Yes, if one defines truth in the Clintonesque way of defensible as not literally false. . 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. ", Earl Behringer Executed 6/11/97"Its a good day to die. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. From Gods dust I came and to dust I will return, so the Earth shall become my throne.. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/, Michelle Lyons has witnessed more than 300 people being executed, The first person she watched be killed was murderer Javier Cruz, Cameron Todd Willingham, delivered a foul-mouthed tirade directed at his ex-wife, Some inmates on death row refused to die quietly, Woman who watched 300 executions says prisoner told victims family I hope you die as she reveals their final words, Inside sinister rise of pink cocaine sweeping UK nightclubs as warring cartels battle to control 'Coca Cola of drugs', We live on Britain's WORST street - it's rife with drug addicts, crime & prostitutes we're terrified for our lives, Man 'naked and covered in blood' arrested before mum found 'murdered' at home as neighbours reveal hearing screams, Leicester 'explosion': Listen to massive 'sonic' boom that shook homes and rattled windows. 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. 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 interpretation of the evidence that was used to convict him of arson and murder. Cameron Todd Willingham who was born on the 9th of January 1968 passed away on the 17th of February 2004. Willingham, a husband and father of three girls managed to escape the house but his daughters all died. A WOMAN who has seen nearly 300 prisoners die at Huntsville State Prison in Texas said she still remembers the final words of Cameron Willingham, who killed his three daughters. 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. 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. And to my family, I love you. This is because Willingham was anything but that; he regularly verbally abused and beat his wife, and in some of these instances, the police was called. Take me home, oh Lord. He asked Stacy if his tombstone could be erected next to their childrens graves. Abul, behold your son, and Anitra, behold your mother. David Grann, a staff writer at The New Yorker, has presented . There is a central room and two witnesss rooms divided by a wall, ensuring the two groups never meet. I have been persecuted for 12 years for something I did not do. I want to ask if it is in your heart to forgive me. But she shifted her outlook shortly before his 2004 execution, proclaiming that she now found him guilty of deliberately setting fire to their house. 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.