Willingham, the father of those children, was executed in February 2004. I have been persecuted for 12 years for something I did not do. Sterling was granted a stay of execution in November 2001. View A Kuykendall results including current phone number, address, relatives, background check report, and property record with Whitepages. Try again. "The only statement I want to make is that I am an innocent man convicted of a crime I did not commit. "Either that or someone came in with the intent to kill me and the children," he said from prison. But Kuykendall told the Corsicana Daily Sun earlier this month that after reviewing case and meeting with her former husband in prison recently, she doesn't buy his version of the events that day. "The only statement I want to make is that I am an innocent man convicted of a crime I did not commit," Cameron Willingham said. (Direct Appeal) 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. Please contact Find a Grave at [emailprotected] if you need help resetting your password. Willingham was arrested on 8 January. HUNTSVILLE - Proclaiming his innocence and spewing profanities at his ex-wife standing a few feet away, an angry former auto mechanic was executed Tuesday evening for the deaths of his three young children in a fire at their home two days before Christmas 12 years ago. "I am an innocent man convicted of a crime I did not commit," Willingham said at his execution. Willingham said that his wife was out shopping that morning, and he was asleep when Amber woke him. 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. This database contains family trees submitted to Ancestry by users who have indicated that their tree can be viewed by all Ancestry subscribers. "The only statement I want to make is that I am an innocent man convicted of a crime I did not commit," Cameron Willingham said. United States. * * * If you would like to view one of these trees in its entirety, you can contact the owner of the tree to request permission to see the tree. San Antonio Express-News He expressed love to someone named Gabby and then addressed his ex-wife, Stacy Kuykendall, who was watching about 8 feet away through a window. Affirmed. The mood back at the firehouse, after the Willingham fire, was different than most after-action gatherings. You are only allowed to leave one flower per day for any given memorial. 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. "And the word of the fire and children's deaths spread around town real quick." Palos said there were 11, 1-gallon jugs of gasoline involved in that fire. 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. "The only statement I want to make is that I am an innocent man convicted of a crime I did not commit," Cameron Willingham said. On 17 February 2004, 36-year-old Cameron Todd Willingham was executed for the murder of his three daughters, one-year-old twins. Willingham v. State, 897 S.W.2d 351(Tex.Cr.App. Witnesses testified that appellant 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 marshal's findings, he added, "are nothing more than a collection of personal beliefs that have nothing to do with science-based fire investigation." His house had no phone. Relationshipto Murderer "I can remember it just like it was yesterday." 37.071 2(h). Include gps location with grave photos where possible. But before he received the lethal injection, he looked toward his ex-wife and mother of the three children he had killed and said, "I hope you rot in Hell, bitch." The fire occurred on Dec. 23, 1991, just before Christmas. "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. Willingham said he tried to get to the twins' room, couldn't get past the flames and ran to get help. 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. At Willingham's trial, the fire marshall 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. In fact, Willingham openly admitted to a fellow inmate that he purposely started this fire to conceal evidence that the children had been abused. The testimony at trial demonstrates that Willingham neither showed remorse for his actions nor grieved the loss of his three children. Texas Forensic Science Commission, the original claims of arson were doubtful. The fire marshal "seems to be wholly without any realistic understanding of fires and how fire injuries are created," he wrote. 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. 2001). Paul Cates of The Innocence Project says that while proponents of the death penalty claim no innocent man has been executed, Willingham may be the most clear-cut case. Willingham argued that his ex-wife's boyfriend started the blaze, but the jury in his 1992 trial delivered a guilty verdict and the death penalty. 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. The state fire marshal on the case, Beyler concluded in his report, had "limited understanding" of fire science. 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. View the profiles of people named Amber Kuykendall. Willingham was convicted of setting a fire at his home that killed the children, including one-year-old twins. Willingham, now 36, insisted in a recent interview on death row he wasn't responsible for his daughters' deaths. Failed to remove flower. I was so full of myself and dumb." "Guys that normally joke around, take things in stride well, that day was real solemn," Palos said. "The arson investigator was a liar." The U.S. Supreme court denied Willinghams certiorari petition on June 8, 1998. He further testified that these areas are typically set on fire to impede firefighters in their rescue attempts. Killed in the fire were Willingham's three daughters: two-year-old Amber Louise Kuykendall, and one-year-old twins, Karmen Diane Willingham and Kameron Marie Willingham. Willingham, a 10th grade dropout, had a history of violence and a record of felony and misdemeanor convictions both as an adult and juvenile. Willingham previously acknowledged he was a lousy 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. This past weekend my mothers-in-law's sister was transferred to MICU bed from St. Vincent's Blount. The Tribune obtained a copy of the review by Craig Beyler, of Hughes Associates Inc., which was conducted for the Texas Forensic Science Commission, created to investigate allegations of forensic error and misconduct. 02-17-04 Mr. Willingham, 36, said, "From God's dust I came and to dust I will return, so the Earth shall become my throne. Appellant contends, in point of error number four, that the evidence is insufficient to support the jury's answers to the special issues submitted in the punishment phase of the trial, particularly: (a) that the evidence is insufficient to support the finding that appellant is a continuing threat to society, and (b) that the evidence is insufficient to support a finding that mitigating circumstances would not warrant a life sentence. Mary Louise KuykendallMary Louise Kuykendall, 94, Springfield, passed away on Thursday, September 15, 2016 in Quail Creek. Join Facebook to connect with Amber Kuykendall and others you may know. Navarro County District Attorney Steve Keathley requested the setting of an execution date during a hearing presided over by Judge Bob McGregor of Hillsboro. He remains on death row. Ann. The Todd Willingham Family. "All you had to do was see the pictures of little babies." Willingham v. Texas, 116 S.Ct. In the punishment phase of the trial, James Grigson testified that Mr. Willington presented a future danger to the community. "Execution preceded by tirade; Man directs obscenity-laced language at his former wife." Webb was in jail for armed robbery at the time and has said he was traumatised from a sexual assault suffered in an earlier jail sentence. based on information from your browser. Willingham v. Dretke, 124 S.Ct. The execution is scheduled for 6 p.m. CST. "All you had to do was see the pictures of little babies." He further testified that these areas are typically set on fire to impede firefighters in their rescue attempts. He took my kids away from me. Oops, we were unable to send the email. He saw smoke, jumped out of bed and told her to get out of the house, he said. Willinghams neighbors testified that when the fire blew out the windows, Willingham hollered about his car and ran to move it away from the fire to avoid its being damaged. The fire that Willingham was convicted of setting occurred two days before Christmas in 1993 in Coricana. The Texas attorney general's office was unaware of any appeals pending. Prosecutors contended he just wanted to get rid of the children. Two Girls N Broom LLC. He first pushed his car away to protect it from being burned, then "crouched down" in the front yard. Samuel Bassett, an attorney who is the chairman of the commission, said the panel will seek a response from the state fire marshal and then write its own report. Evidence at his trial showed an accelerant, believed to be charcoal lighter fluid, was used to ignite the floors and a front threshold to the house. He tried to get to the twins' room, but couldn't get past the flames. According to autopsy reports, Amber, age two, and twins Karmon and Kameron, age 1, died of acute carbon monoxide poisoning as a result of smoke inhalation. 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. She declined to speak to reporters. "I wouldn't do that." Jalyn KuykendallGolfer - 2013 - 2014 Tournaments Rounds Average Score Versus Par Adjusted 3 6 81.7 Tournaments Finish Par Yardage 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. 19.03(a)(6)(A). (Direct Appeal) Since 1976 Jailhouse snitches are viewed with skepticism in the justice system, so much so that some jurisdictions have restrictions against their use. Riley, 36 . He expressed love to someone named Gabby and then addressed his ex-wife, Stacy Kuykendall, who was watching about 8 feet away through a window. The state of Texas is scheduled to execute Cameron Willingham, a white man, Feb. 17 for the 1991 murders of his three children Amber, 2, and twins Kameron and Karmon, 1, in Navarro county. You can become a member, create a memorial, submit data, add flowers, add photos and search our database at no charge. He remains on death row. Dr. James Grigson testified for the State at punishment. Tex.Code Crim.Proc.Ann. "In my opinion, Willingham was an utterly sociopathic individual," said Jackson, the former Navarro County district attorney and now a state district judge. The woman was witnessing the execution. Fire Chief here in Corsicana and in the room with us is Manuel Vasquez, state Fire Marshall'Police Department. Penal Code Ann. Weve updated the security on the site. I gotta go, road dog." Texas is one of three states, along with Kansas and New Mexico, that does not offer life without parole. Testimony at his trial indicated that Willingham had a history of violence and family abuse, including an incident where he beat his pregnant wife with a telephone to try to force a miscarriage. To embed this post, copy the code below on your site, 600px wide Stacy Kuykendall initially supported her husband and testified on his behalf at his trial. Although appellant does not argue that the evidence was insufficient to support his conviction for capital murder, a review of the facts and other evidence underlying his conviction is necessary, as this is the information which the jury considered when answering the special issues in the punishment phase of the trial. Jackson was the lead prosecutor for the district attorney's office in the Willingham case 12 years ago, securing the death penalty. I gotta go, Road Dog." The U.S. Supreme Court in November refused to review his case, and a late appeal Tuesday was rejected by the same court. The resulting trial was "a joke," he said. He took my kids away from me." A fire fighter also testified that Willingham was upset that his dart board was burned. Your new password must contain one or more uppercase and lowercase letters, and one or more numbers or special characters. He told her repeatedly in obscenity-laced language that he hoped she would "rot in hell" and attempted to maneuver his hand, strapped at the wrist, into an obscene gesture. 2001). He saw smoke, jumped out of bed and told her to get out of the house, he said. 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 application was denied on February 17, 2003. (Direct Appeal) 12-23-91 Jackson was the lead prosecutor for the district attorney's office in the Willingham case 12 years ago, securing the death penalty. Witnesses testified that appellant 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. There was an error deleting this problem. The Texas attorney general's office was unaware of any appeals pending. His former wife showed no reaction to the outburst. The state filed an answer and motion for summary judgment on July 1, 1998, and filed a supplemental answer on October 15, 1998. Corsicana Daily Sun In 1991, when a fire destroyed the Willingham's home in Corsicana, Texas, and took the lives of 2-year-old Amber and 1-year-old twins Karmen and Kameron, Cameron was the only one who managed to escape. Use Escape keyboard button or the Close button to close the carousel. "I can remember what I was doing that day, what was going on," Palos said. Trial testimony showed he expressed no grief over the loss of the children. At the same time Texas is the leader in executions, and has been responsible for over one-third of the men and women executed since 1976. Willingham subsequently filed an application for a certificate of appealability in the 5th U.S. James Grigson also testified in the case of Randall Adams. At the punishment phase of trial, testimony was presented that Willingham has a history of violence. In 1988, a report compiled by an assistant district attorney in Dallas concluded that after the study of 11 specific death penalty verdicts where the defendants' terms had been reduced not a single one had been other than a model prisoner. Weve done a lot of work and found out that the prosecutor had an undisclosed deal. "There's nothing in stone, especially when you're talking about the intricacies of the death penalty and the constitutionality issues associated with it," Keathley said. He protested his innocence to the end. Date of Offense: 12/23/91 Last week, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles voted 15-0 to deny a clemency request. Cameron Todd Willingham - INNOCENT & EXECUTED - On 23rd December 1991, the Willingham family home was destroyed by fire, although Cameron Willingham managed to escape with minor burns, his three daughters - Amber Louise Kuykendall (aged 2) and twins Karmon Diane Willingham & Kameron Marie Willingham (aged 1) - all died, whilst their mother was out shopping for Christmas presents . The finding comes in the first state-sanctioned review of an execution in Texas, home to the country's busiest death chamber. Please complete the captcha to let us know you are a real person. More than 5,000 readers have already pitched in to keep free access to The Journal. "Either that, or someone came in with the intent to kill me and the children," he told a reporter. Corsicana fire marshall James Palos was the fire department's chief investigator at the Dec. 23, 1991 fire scene. Inside, Willingham's 3 young children -- 2-year-old Amber, and 1-year-old twins, Karmon Diane and Kameron Marie -- were dying. Other testimony showed that Willingham deliberately set the fire to kill his children. Denied). In 1988, a report compiled by an assistant district attorney in Dallas concluded that after the study of 11 specific death penalty verdicts where the defendants' terms had been reduced not a single one had been other than a model prisoner. Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. 01-09-68 Released in 1990. His former wife showed no reaction to the outburst. "Dude's a liar," Willingham said in a recent interview on death row. Kuykendall also said she attended the 2004 execution and heard Willinghams final words. 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. The opinion of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeal summarized the offense as follows: There were three life's cut too short and their names are Amber Louise, Karmon Diane and Kameron Marie." Despite a request from Willingham, Kuykendall said she refused to write a letter to. Although appellant does not argue that the evidence was insufficient to support his conviction for capital murder, a review of the facts and other evidence underlying his conviction is necessary, as this is the information which the jury considered when answering the special issues in the punishment phase of the trial. You can customize the cemeteries you volunteer for by selecting or deselecting below. Cameron Willingham, 36, was sentenced to die for the deaths of his three daughters. "Either that, or someone came in with the intent to kill me and the children," he told a reporter. The state court adjudication on the merits neither resulted in a decision that was contrary to, or involved an unreasonable application of, clearly established Federal law, as determined by the Supreme Court of the United States, nor resulted in a decision that was based on an unreasonable determination of the facts in light of the evidence presented in the State court proceeding.