"The clock is ticking," is Joseph Solbodzian's post at the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Ten days -- that’s how much time Terrance “Terry” Williams has left before his Oct. 3 execution by lethal injection and Monday may be the most important of those days.
Monday will be the final day of testimony on a motion for an emergency stay of execution before Philadelphia Common Pleas Court Judge M. Teresa Sarmina. And Williams’ fate arguably rests in the ability of his admitted accomplice in the June, 11, 1984 murder of Amos Norwood to convince Sarmina that Williams killed in a rage over sexual abuse by Norwood and not in the robbery that convinced a jury to sentence him to death.
Williams’ team of lawyers have argued that Williams’ immaturity at the time of the Norwood killing – just three months past 18, the minimum age for execution in the United States – and the alleged suppression of a history of sexual abuse by Norwood and others -- would have convinced the jury to sentence him to life in prison instead of death.
Williams’ admitted accomplice, Marc Draper, like Williams an 18-year-old Cheyney University freshman at the time of the Norwood murder, testified for about an hour on Thursday afternoon. Draper, serving life in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder in Norwood’s killing, told Sarmina his rebirth as a Christian had led him to recant his 26-year-old trial testimony against Williams.
“All I want to do is tell the truth,” Draper, 46, told the judge.
"Complexity of Terrance Williams case has been revealed as lawyers try to prevent his execution," is by Donald Gilliland for the Harrisburg Patriot-News.
Williams had just turned 18 when he killed Norwood. Draper, the son of a Philadelphia city cop, entered a plea deal to testify against Williams, who was convicted of both murders.
Williams was sentenced to death in the Norwood killing.
The ravening beast had been removed from among us.
Justice, it seemed, had been done.
But the case wasn’t nearly so simple.
Terry Williams wasn't the only one with a hidden animal nature.
The complexities of the case have emerged in vivid detail as Williams’ lawyers try to prevent his execution.
Williams is scheduled to be put to death on Oct. 3.
Arguing that Williams was sexually abused and exploited for years, the defense attorneys contend that he should spend the rest of his life in prison, but he doesn’t deserve lethal injection.
A hearing that could spare his life continues in Philadelphia Monday.
Salon posts, "Terry Williams: A victim might be executed," by Rania Khalek.
As Williams’ Oct. 3 execution nears, his attorneys are scrambling to save his life. On Monday, the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons rejected a clemency petition. Though the five-member board voted 3-to-2 in favor of clemency, unanimous approval is required for the governor to consider halting the execution. Williams’s lawyers have since asked the Board of Pardons to reconsider, citing an allegedly inaccurate statement made by assistant district attorney Thomas Dolgenos, though it’s unclear whether board rules allow for reconsideration.
Williams’ life currently rests in the hands of Philadelphia Common Pleas Court judge M. Teresa Sarmina, who has the power to grant an emergency stay of execution. Victor Abreu, one of Williams’ attorneys, tells Salon, “The state knew the real motive for the killing and yet presented evidence that was false.” Sarmina is currently reviewing whether this is indeed the case.
Earlier coverage of Terry Williams' case begins with the preceding post.
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