I will be waiting for you. 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. Cause He is the only one that can give you the strength that you need. This page is an online memorial to Cameron Todd Willigham, an innocent man who was executed by the state of Texas for a crime he did not commit. Cameron Todd Willingham was executed by the state of Texas on February 17 200 Ten years after that was first published it has now been adapted into a film starring British actor O'Connell as . He knew the thought of life wasnt ticking in his head. And to my family, I love you. I never knew I would take a life and commit a crime. You bitch; I hope you fucking rot, cunt. And ah, I believe I'm going home. Website by MADEO. However, there are some that do produce some heartfelt moments in their final minutes. 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.. Cameron Todd Willingham Executed 2/17/04 "Yeah. "They don't allow that usually. At the time of the fire, Kuykendall and Willingham were newlyweds. Its basically like reading a 300-page Indiana Jones movie that teaches you important and incredible things about the world. His hopes and dreams became a fantasy. Tell my kids I love them. A WOMAN who witnessed almost 300 people be put to death has revealed that one inmate told the victims family I hope you die.. Its the best book I read this year. He was a former hitman who, despite not appearing a particularly sympathetic character, had become someone she had grown to like. Two-year-old Amber Louise Kuykendall and one-year-old twins Karmen Diane Willingham and Kameron Marie Willingham were killed in 1991 in a fire that Willingham claimed was an accident. I don't know what to say. It seems like Cameron admitted to the couples tumultuous past first, acknowledging that their relationship was affected by their troubled backgrounds. My grandmother is the pillar of the community. That was until she spoke to him shortly before his execution. The reporter also said she witnessed the last moments of Brian Keith Roberson, who stabbed his neighbors James Boots, 79, and Lillian Boots, 74, to death during a burglary in Dallas in 1986. Usually, the warden will allow them to talk for about two minutes. Willingham, 23, the children's father, and the only . 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. I knew I would pay with struggle and strife, but I never thought the cost would be me losing my life.Written through his sister, Michelle Winn, Robert Carter Executed 5/31/00"To the Davis family, I am sorry for all of the pain that I caused your family. "I have been persecuted for 12 years for something I did not do. To all of the racist white folks in America that hate black folks and to all of the black folks in America that hate themselves, she claimed he said, while tied to an electric chair. Willingham claimed he tried to rescue them, but the police didn't buy that story, as he was relatively unharmed. I love my parents. 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. "(In) the infamous words of my famous, legendary brother Nat Turner y'all kiss my black a**. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. In 1992, Willingham was convicted of arson-related triple homicide and was executed 12 years later by the death penalty after his three daughters were killed Having your wife, whod fought in your corner for so long, change her mind and convict you along with the powers-that-be-well, thats an experience that could easily bring out such a statement right before one is executed. He was charged and convicted of capital murder and arson, and sentenced to death. Amnesty International. To my family and loved ones and friends, I thank all of you all for your support and I am sorry for the pain and hurt I have caused you. 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. I will see you all when you get there. Is it the whole truth? I have been persecuted for 12 years for something I did not do. I gotta go, road dog. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. 1 of 5 Cameron Todd Willingham waits for guards to take him back to his cell on death row days before his execution on Feb. 17, 2004. Yet, Michelle explained that by far the most chilling part of the process is when the inmates are given the opportunity to talk before they depart. Cameron Todd Willingham had tater tots, onion rings, pie, enchiladas, and ribs. He was convicted based on the testimony of forensic experts who said they had determined that the fire was intentionally set and a jailhouse informant who said Willingham had confessed to him. But others she admits are very hard to forget as she recalled the horrific final words of one inmate. EXCLUSIVE: Ex-Wife Doesn't Think Texas Man Was Wrongly Executed. I have a good family. His wife, 22-year old Stacy Willingham, had gone out early that morning to do some last-minute Christmas shopping. Yet, Michelle explained that by far the most chilling part of the process is when the inmates are given the opportunity to talk before they depart. Their father Cameron Todd Willingham es-caped from the fire, was tried, and eventually executed for their deaths. Since the pair had been together for about four years and had tied the knot just months before, when Stacy told officers that Cameron would never hurt their children and that they hadnt been fighting, she wasnt challenged. ", Irineo Montoya Executed 6/18/97"Goodbye. Ah, you have been a blessing to me and I love you all and one day I will see y'all, so I hope y'all find y'all peace, comfort, and strength in Christ Jesus alone, because that's where it's at. I'm sorry, and I really mean that, it's not just words. ", Richard J. Wilkerson Executed 8/31/93"Seeing Through the Eyes of a Death Row Inmate"Sometime I wonder why, why he? . Willingham, who said he was home napping at the time . Who called the fire department? Todd Willingham was executed by lethal injection in Texas in February, 2004. Aftermath of the fire [Texas State Fire Marshal's Office] On December 23, 1991, fire gutted the home where Cameron Todd Willingham, then 23, lived with his wife, Stacy Kuykendall, and the couple's three daughters: two-year-old Amber Kuykendall and one . You have been so good to me. ", Marcus Cotton Executed 3/3/04 "Yes Warden, I do. You know what I'm saying. While waiting for permission to finish the case from the Third Court of Appeals, Baird put together the document that "orders the exoneration of Cameron Todd Willingham for murdering his three daughters," because of "overwhelming, credible and reliable evidence" presented during a one-day hearing in Austin in October 2010. The witness believed the bitch in question was Willinghams ex-wife Stacy, the mother of his daughters. Image Credit: Stacy Kuykendall / Facebook. Sicha, Michael To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. There is a central room and two witnesss rooms divided by a wall, ensuring the two groups never meet. Anthony Graves had nothing to do with it. From Gods dust I came and to dust I will return, so the Earth shall become my throne.. That's the story of my whole life, that's what alcohol will do for you. The Innocence Project assembled five of the nations leading independent arson experts to review the evidence in the case, and this prestigious group issued a 48-page report finding that none of the scientific analysis used to convict Willingham was valid. I hope you rot in hell, bitch; I hope you fucking rot in hell, bitch. Do you value our journalism? The only statement I want to make is that I am an innocent man convicted of a crime I did not commit. By Maurice Possley. Cameron Todd Willingham Last Words. There was no Hollywood happy ending, no last-minute call from the governor . ", David Long Executed 12/8/99"Ah, just ah, sorry ya'll. He reasserts his innocence, and his very last words are religious. I Killed Dirty John - Season 8, Episode 1 Resources in the case are below, along with background on the role of unvalidated forensics in wrongful convictions. Cameron Todd Willingham. On December 23, 1991, a house in Texas burned to the ground. According to an article by The New Yorker, Cameron was unfaithful, a heavy drinker, and physically assaulted Stacy at times, even while pregnant. The Innocence Project is affiliated with Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, Yeshiva University. Faulty investigative techniques, redundant fire science, and swinging witness testimonies resulted in his . She recalled: "We had two guys in one night, and the first had a really ugly statement where he was telling the victims' families, 'I hope y'all get in a crash and die on your way home., He also said: You can kiss my ass,' and a whole bunch of stuff., Lyons explained: "It really stood out that night because it was so ugly, but then the second execution afterwards, the guy was so apologetic and was crying and telling the victim's family, 'I am so sorry I did this to you. (Dont worry, Brad Pitts making it into a movie.) He said, The only statement I want to make is that I am an innocent man convicted of a crime I did not commit. "Mothers love their children and always will, no matter what happens in their lives. Here is what they sent him: Yeah. I love and cherish my friends and family. As previously revealed by The Sun, Lyons says this can sometimes be an arduous process as some refuse to die quietly. Cameron Todd Willingham. Please don't ever forget me. I love you Gabby." I am really so sorry about it, I really am. (Download the full trial transcripts here.). Is Granns report the truth? A WOMAN who witnessed almost 300 people be put to death has revealed that one inmate told the victims family I hope you die.. Cameron Todd Willingham was convicted of murdering his three children in 1991. ", 2020 THE SUN, US, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP, Michelle Lyons is a reporter who covered hundreds of executions at a prison in Texas, She said the final words of Cameron Willingham, who killed his three daughters, were some of the worst she heard, Texas mom who witnessed more than 300 executions talks of her experience, Texas mom who witnessed more than 300 executions tells how shes still haunted by child killers last words, Liquor CEO, 46, plummets to his death attempting backflip during Dead & Company concert at New York's Citi Field, Taliban orders British paratroopers out of Afghanistan in a weeks time or it's war, Giant Sturgeon Moon shines above lighthouse in breathtaking snap, Incredible snaps of gravity-defying stunt driver and fog-shrouded viaduct win at pic awards, Disgraced Gov Andrew Cuomo sends farewell message using NY's email alert system to brag about achievements in office, Afghan journalists beaten by Taliban & prevented from making evacuation flight, Giant tortoise thought to be vegetarian kills and eats bird in slo-mo attack, Calls for Biden to RESIGN over Afghanistan crisis grow louder as president jokes he 'may need work after this'. I can't imagine losing two children. I don't deserve to cause you pain. 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. 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.