Friday, February 28, 2014

Truth Emerges re Willingham Execution


WRONGFUL EXECUTION -- Cameron Todd Willingham was an innocent man who Texas executed on February 17, 2004. The Innocence Project recently uncovered evidence that Webb, the state's witness against Willingham, was promised a reduced sentence to implicate Willingham. Willingham was convicted for arson deaths of his three children by (1) faulty science and (2) Webb's testimony. Saying "DEATH to the DEATH PENALTY" is the only way to guarantee that innocent people are never executed.

Webb recanted prior to Willingham’s execution, stating that he had been forced by John Jackson, the then-district attorney, to provide false testimony in exchange for favorable treatment in the form of a reduced robbery charge in his own criminal case. Willingham’s lawyer was never told of Webb’s recantation. Willingham was murdered by Texas, and John Jackson became a judge. He has now retired.

Innocence Project reports developments in "New Evidence Emerges in Texas Wrongful Execution Case"
http://www.innocenceproject.org/Content/New_Evidence_Emerges_in_Texas_Wrongful_Execution_Case.php

NY Times reported that Willingham's cousin Patricia Cox said that if an exoneration does occur, the family has no plans to press for damages. “We’re not asking compensation,” she said. “We’re asking justice.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/28/us/evidence-of-concealed-jailhouse-deal-raises-questions-about-a-texas-execution.html

The University of Michigan Law School Innocence Clinic says most wrongful convictions are caused by:
  • Eyewitness Misidentification 
  • Junk Science 
  • False Confessions 
  • Government Misconduct 
  • Lying Snitches 
  • Bad Lawyering
Willingham was wrongfully convicted and executed because of junk science, government misconduct, and a lying snitch who later recanted his testimony, but the justice system was not interested in the truth. 

Other articles by this writer about Willingham's murder by Texas:
The Wrongful Execution of Cameron Todd Willingham

Cameron Todd Willingham's Wrongful Execution - and Others

Help Todd Willingham Rest in Peace - Clear the Name of Wrongly Executed Texan ~ Care2 News

Thank you to all employees and supporters of the Innocence Project who fight wrongful executions every day.


10 Things Anyone Can Do To Help Exonerate Innocent People and 
Prevent Wrongful Convictions

MaryLovesJustice Neal
Director of Davis-MacPhail Truth Committee
Phone 678.531.0262 

The Willingham Family