(09-02-09) Arson debate renewed

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September 3, 2009

Willingham case drawing new worldwide attention

By Raymond Linex II The Corsicana Daily Sun Thu Sep 03, 2009, 10:56 AM CDT

The name Cameron Todd Willingham resonates locally, and for good reason. The deaths of his children, his ensuing trial, and — in 2004 — his execution weigh heavily on minds in a small town.

Like it or not, fair or not, regardless of which side of the fence you sit on, Cameron Todd Willingham’s name is coming back, and likely with a roar.

Last week, through an Associated Press piece, we reported that a state commissioned expert found serious flaws in the arson investigation that led to Willingham’s conviction, and eventually his execution. This week, New Yorker magazine published a 16,000 word story on Willingham, further punching holes in that investigation and casting some doubt on his guilt, thus begging the question: Did the state of Texas execute an innocent man?

This is a question, and a story, that likely will be around for quite some time.

Last week’s story from the AP, one in which we solicited local comment for unsuccessfully, did draw a few responses, mostly negative. “Why would you bring that back up?” Understand, as a news outlet, as a distributor of information, we have a duty to report the news, good or bad, regardless of who wants it and who does not.

Retired Judge John Jackson’s subsequent rebuttal in Sunday’s paper has reached far and wide. We have received a number of rebuttals to it, some from as far away as Europe, where the death penalty is as much a Texas thing as cowboy hats and horses.

One more reason of understanding, please; to be a fair news outlet, we intend to run some of those rebuttals, including one received from the Innocence Project, which appears on the opinion page of today’s paper.

Also understand this; it is not our intent to retry Cameron Todd Willingham in the Corsicana Daily Sun. It’s not our intent to prove his innocence, or reaffirm his guilt. What we will do is report on the ongoing facets of his post-execution existence, more so from a local aspect than any other.

Few people like all of the news that papers and TV outlets produce. Still, there are stories that have to be told, and this is one of them.

Perhaps it will be a short story, but next year, the state will release its findings from the commissioned study. The story will resurface.

And as it does, as it has in this case, you can bet Corsicana is going to be on more radars than ever before.

Don’t be surprised if it becomes the epicenter of the debate on the death penalty.

Click here to Soundoff on this column.

Click here to e-mail Raymond Linex II.

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The Willingham Files

Science panel suggests review of arson convictions
A Texas commission no longer allowed to investigate a case where death penalty opponents say a man may have been executed based on a faulty arson investigation recommended Friday that all cases involving people locked up on arson convictions be reviewed.

October 29, 2011
Thompson honored for Willingham work
Lowell Thompson, Navarro County District Attorney, was honored by his peers at the Texas District and County Attorneys Association conference last week in Corpus Christi with the Lone Star Award for his work on the Willingham case.

September 29, 2011 1 Photo
Willingham not on science panel agenda DALLAS (AP) — A state science panel looking into a possible wrongful conviction in a Texas death penalty case is meeting for the first time since Gov. Rick Perry removed several members, but the execution case is not on the agenda.
January 21, 2010
(12-14-09) Tarrant County medical examiner appointed to forensic commission Gov. Rick Perry has appointed Tarrant County's medical examiner to the Texas Forensic Science Commission, a group shaken up this fall when Perry replaced several members.
December 14, 2009
(12-02-09) Jurors defend verdict that led to Texas execution David Martin is sickened by the suggestion that Texas executed an innocent man when Cameron Todd Willingham was put to death for setting a fire that killed his three children.

December 2, 2009 1 Photo
(11-10-09) Forensic panel chair offers plans The Texas Forensic Science Commission is not going to debate the death penalty or decide the guilt or innocence of individual cases, said John Bradley
November 10, 2009
(11-08-09) GUEST COMMENTARY: A work in progress I am John Bradley, the elected District Attorney in Williamson County and the new presiding officer of the nine-member Texas Forensic Science Commission. I am writing to introduce myself, explain the purpose of the Commission and inform you about the work the Commission now faces.
November 9, 2009
(10-27-09) Texas Forensic Science Commission questioned The City of Corsicana is questioning the Texas Forensic Science Commission’s ability to look at the case of Cameron Todd Willingham, since it happened 14 years before the commission was created.
November 2, 2009
(10-26-09) Report: Willingham's former wife, 'He confessed' In a story on the Fort Worth Star-Telegram's online newspaper today, Stacey Kykendall, the former wife of executed Cameron Todd Willingham, says he confessed to her before his execution.
October 27, 2009
Death penalty opponents rally at Texas Capitol AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - Death penalty opponents, convinced an innocent man was executed in 2004, staged a rally Saturday at the Texas Capitol to call for a moratorium on capital punishment and to highlight the controversial case of Cameron Todd Willingham.

October 24, 2009
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