Cameron Todd Willingham was executed on 17th February 2004 after he was convicted of murdering his three young children in their family home in Corsicana, Texas. I have been persecuted for 12 years for something I did not do. Willingham, who did not testify in his own defense, disputed the comments. Willingham had a history of violence and a record of felony and misdemeanor convictions both as an adult and juvenile. Trial testimony showed he expressed no grief over the loss of the children. Citations: Dr. James Grigson testified for the State at punishment. One of Willinghams neighbors testified that the morning following the house fire, Christmas Eve, Willingham and his wife were at the burned house going through the debris while playing music and laughing. Judge McGregor denied Reaves' request, set the execution date for Feb. 17, and ordered Willingham returned to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to await the carrying out of his sentence. Indian Springs - River. Also known as Amber Abeddingfield, A Beddingfield, Amber Nekol Kuykendall, Beddingfield Amber. Proc. a former auto mechanic, was sentenced to death for killing his three young children in the familys house in Corsicana in December 1991. Willingham suggested a lantern lamp dumped fluid when a shelf collapsed inside the house and caught fire or his oldest daughter, who was "fascinated with everything," accidentally set off the blaze. On December 23, 1991, a fire destroyed the family home of Cameron Todd Willingham in Corsicana, Texas. 1995). With millions of names, it's an invaluable tool for genealogists and history buffs. 2915, 115 L.Ed.2d 1078 (1991). The only other evidence of significance against Willingham was another inmate who testified that Willingham had confessed to him. Cameron Todd Willingham According to his testimony, Willingham fits the profile of a sociopath whose conduct becomes more violent over time, and who lacks a conscience. Menu. Willingham subsequently filed an application for a certificate of appealability in the 5th U.S. The U.S. Supreme Court in November refused to review his case, and a late appeal Tuesday was rejected by the same court. The application was denied on February 17, 2003. policy. Evidence at his trial showed an accelerant, believed to be charcoal lighter fluid, was used to ignite the floors, a front threshold to the house and on a concrete porch. Weve updated the security on the site. He told them: Ive been wanting to come forward with this for a long, long time about certain specific things that no ones ever known. 4) November 1988: Driving Under the Influence of Liquor and/or Drugs (substance was paint) Appellant does not challenge the sufficiency of the evidence to support his conviction; therefore, the facts of the offense will be discussed only in reference to the error alleged in point of error number four. Willingham, 36, said, "From God's dust I came, and to dust I will return, so the earth shall become my throne. Death because of his tenacious and authoritative belief that seldom can murderers be rehabilitated. In a withering critique, a nationally known fire scientist has told a state commission on forensics that Texas fire investigators had no basis to rule a deadly house fire was an arson -- a finding that led to the murder conviction and execution of Cameron Todd Willingham. It was while the fire department was in the mop-up stages of that North 36th Street fire that firefighters got the call to go to the Willingham fire in the 1200 block of West 11th Avenue. Willingham said that he hoped she would "rot in Hell," and attempted to make an obscene gesture with his hand, which was strapped to the gurney. "I can't think of a more horrible case," said Pat Batchelor, who was district attorney in Navarro County when Willingham was the lone survivor of the blaze Dec. 23, 1991. Date of Birth: 1/9/68 Texas Execution Information Center by David Carson. The fire occurred on Dec. 23, 1991, just before Christmas. "I have been persecuted for 12 years for something I did not do." Date ofSentence Punishment: two years probation and 60 days in the county jail Add a bio, trivia, and more. "I have been persecuted for 12 years for something I did not do." You can contact the owner of the tree to get more information. The testimony at trial demonstrates that Willingham neither showed remorse for his actions nor grieved the loss of his three children. Mr. Willingham was sentenced to death based largely on the testimony of the controversial James Grigson, known as Dr. He previously acknowledged he was a bad husband but insisted he wasn't responsible for the blaze in Corsicana that killed his daughters 2-year-old Amber and 1-year-old twins Karmon and Kameron. He took my kids away from me." Try again. Evidence at his trial showed an accelerant, believed to be charcoal lighter fluid, was used to ignite the floors, a front threshold to the house and on a concrete porch. I was on a lot of medication at the time. The move caused a controversy as Perrys critics claimed his actions resembled a cover-up. Neighbors of Willingham testified that as the house began smoldering, Willingham was crouched down in the front yard, and despite the neighbors pleas, refused to go into the house in any attempt to rescue the children. Cameron Todd Willingham Punishment: ordered to pay restitution, 15 days in the county jail and six months probation, running concurrently They just didn't want to pursue what really happened." This memorial has been copied to your clipboard. Willingham. Family and friends must say goodbye to their beloved Paul Edward Kuykendall of Amber, Oklahoma, born in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, who passed away at the age of 71, on October 30, 2020. 4) November 1988: Driving Under the Influence of Liquor and/or Drugs (substance was paint) "Any man who can look at me in the eye and say the justice system is not a farce is a liar. Mr. Willingham was pronounced dead at 6:20 p.m., seven minutes after the lethal dose began flowing through his veins. He expressed love to someone named Gabby and then addressed his ex-wife, Stacy Kuykendall, who was watching about eight feet away through a window. The proceeds of an insurance policy on the girls were later used to buy a pickup truck. Final Meal: According to his testimony, appellant fits the profile of an extremely severe sociopath whose conduct becomes more violent over time, and who lacks a conscience as to his behavior. Weight: 177 An expert witness for the State testified that the floors, front threshold, and front concrete porch were burned, which only occurs when an accelerant has been used to purposely burn these areas. His former wife showed no reaction to the outburst. The prosecution claims that Mr. Willingham started the fire in order to conceal evidence that his children had been recently abused. "I wouldn't do that." He said firefighters had been called out earlier in the day to a fire that was also ruled an arson. Texas Execution Information Center by David Carson. Cameron Willingham, 36, was sentenced to die for the deaths of his three daughters. He said he got hooked on inhalants as a young teenager and was in and out of treatment centers beginning at age 14. All concluded that the original investigators relied on outdated theories and folklore to justify the determination of arson. On 23 December 1991, the Corsicana home of Cameron Willingham burned. That finding was backed up by the state Forensic Science Commission (FSC), an arm of the state of Texas. Feedback on The State of Texas may have executed an innocent man - but won't pardon him. The most distressing thing is the state of Texas will kill an innocent man and doesn't care they're making a mistake. Rick Perrys assessment that Willingham was a monster: Governor Rick Perry called Cameron Todd Willingham a monster and indeed he was. "Anybody that can do that, you just think: My God, what kind of sadistic monster is this?" Perry responded by saying his critics are politically motivated. 2229 (1998) (Cert. But Jackson had recused himself, citing his ties with the Willingham case. An investigation revealed that it was intentionally set with a flammable liquid. The judgment and sentence of the trial court are affirmed. She declined to speak to reporters. 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. If actions taken in a Navarro County Courtroom Monday stand, Cameron Todd Willingham knows exactly when he will die. Contacted Monday, one of Willingham's cousins said she was pleased with the report but was skeptical that state officials would acknowledge Willingham's innocence. You may not upload any more photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 20 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 5 photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 30 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 15 photos to this memorial. Summary: Convited in the deaths of his three young children in a house fire. * * * Fort Worth Star-Telegram Final Words: Willingham, 23, the children's father, and the only adult home at the time of the fire, was found guilty of murder and sentenced to death on . An investigation, however, revealed that it was intentionally setwith a flammable liquid. It's a day he remembers well. If the commission reaches the same conclusion, it could lead to the first-ever declaration by an official state body that an inmate was wrongly executed. Austin Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott offers the following information about 35-year-old Cameron Todd Willingham, who is scheduled to be executed after 6 p.m. February 17, 2004. "Either that, or someone came in with the intent to kill me and the children," he told a reporter. He said firefighters had been called out earlier in the day to a fire on North 36th Street, a fire that was also ruled an arson. "Cameron Todd Willingham case: Expert says fire for which father was executed was not arson; Texas panel reviewing execution of father for setting deadly blaze," by Steve Mills. Witnesses testified that Willingham was verbally and physically abusive toward his family, and that at one time he beat his pregnant wife in an effort to cause a miscarriage. The fire marshal "seems to be wholly without any realistic understanding of fires and how fire injuries are created," he wrote. Sterling was granted a stay of execution in November 2001. He saw smoke, jumped out of bed, and ordered Amber out of the house. Find an Obituary . The most distressing thing is the state of Texas will kill an innocent man and doesn't care they're making a mistake." "The only way for me to get back into the house was to jump back into the flames," he said. Keathley said that Reaves asked Judge McGregor to delay setting an execution date, citing ongoing litigation concerning the constitutionality of using the "death by lethal injection" method. Three barbequed pork ribs, two orders of onion rings, fried okra, three beef enchiladas with cheese and two slices of lemon creme pie. Willingham himself escaped the home with only minor burns. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. He then attempted to maneuver his hand, strapped at the wrist, into an obscene gesture. Indeed, the report concludes there was no evidence to determine that the December 1991 fire was even set, and it leaves open the possibility the blaze that killed three children was an accident and there was no crime at all -- the same findings found in a Chicago Tribune investigation of the case published in December 2004. "The only way for me to get back into the house was to jump back into the flames," he said. The email does not appear to be a valid email address. "Guys that normally joke around, take things in stride well, that day was real solemn," Palos said. Willingham was charged with setting the blaze that killed the 3 youngsters, was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to death. Citations: "I was so full of myself and so dumb." Prior Prison Record: Reportedly sentenced to Boot Camp at Oklahoma State Prison in 1989. Summary: Convited in the deaths of his three young children in a house fire. Willingham v. Texas, 116 S.Ct. A fire marshal testified the placement of the accelerant was designed to impede any rescue efforts by firefighters. Irish sport images provided by Inpho Photography Willingham, the father of those children, was executed in February 2004. 225, 107 L.Ed.2d 178 (vacated and remanded on other issue); James v. State, 805 S.W.2d 415 (Tex.Cr.App.1990) (on remand); cert. "He had a lifestyle that really didn't include care and nurturing of children. Killed in the fire were Willingham's three daughters: two-year-old Amber Louise Kuykendall and one-year-old twins Karmon Diane Willingham and Kameron Marie Willingham. On Monday, Willingham was accompanied by his appellate lawyer, Walter Reaves of Waco, and his attorney from the 1992 Navarro County trial, Rob Dunn of Corsicana. Fort Collins, Colorado Area. San Antonio Express-News Education: 10 years Willingham filed a federal writ of habeas corpus in the Northern District of Texas, Dallas Division on April 21, 1998. "I have been persecuted for 12 years for something I did not do." "He really just wanted to get rid of them," said Pat Batchelor, who was Navarro County district attorney at the time. WHITE, Judge. The testimony at trial demonstrates that Willingham neither showed remorse for his actions nor grieved the loss of his three children. Discover your family history in millions of family trees and more than a billion birth,marriage, death, census, and miltary records. In more than 100 of the 167 cases he testified in, he predicted the defendant would kill gain. 01-09-68 Petitioner has failed to make a substantial showing of the denial of a federal right. These trees can change over time as users edit, remove, or otherwise modify the data in their trees. All concluded that the original investigators relied on outdated theories and folklore to justify the determination of arson. Save to an Ancestry Tree, a virtual cemetery, your clipboard for pasting or Print. When firefighters arrived at the burning five-bedroom house on Corsicana's south side, Willingham was outside. Funeral homes and cemeteries, funeral directors, products, flowers etc.. Sysoon is a free resource for finding the final resting places of famous folks, friends and family members. According to autopsy reports, Amber and twins Karmon and Kameron died of acute carbon monoxide poisoning as a result of smoke inhalation. 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. Are you sure that you want to delete this photo? Willingham, a 10th grade dropout, had a history of violence and a record of felony and misdemeanor convictions both as an adult and juvenile. 466 (2003) (Cert. Two special issues were submitted to the jury under Tex.Code Crim. The evidence adduced at trial was that on December 23, 1991, appellant poured a combustible liquid on the floor throughout his home and intentionally set the house on fire, resulting in the death of his three children. Corsicana Daily SunOriginally published Dec. 26, 1991Amber WillinghamKarmen WillinghamKameron WillinghamAmber Louise Willingham, 2, Karmen Diane Willingham, 1, and Kameron Marie Willingham, 1, died Dec. 23, 1991 in Corsicana.Services will be 10 a.m. Friday at the Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home, with J.P. Davis and Herman Martinez officiating. He took my kids away from me. Witnesses testified that Willingham was verbally and physically abusive toward his family, and that at one time he beat his pregnant wife in an effort to cause a miscarriage. "He really just wanted to get rid of them," said Pat Batchelor, who was Navarro County district attorney at the time. An expert witness for the State testified that the floors, front threshold, and front concrete porch were burned, which only occurs when an accelerant has been used to purposely burn these areas. The objections regarding whether Petitioner's appellate counsel was ineffective when he did not appeal the trial court's disqualification of the venirewomen, the limitations placed on Petitioner's voir dire questions, and the admission of hearsay testimony appear, at first blush, to have possible merit; however, a more detailed analysis reveals that they also lack merit.
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