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Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Pennsylvania Debates Executing Man Who Killed Alleged Abusers

Terrance Williams is scheduled to be executed on October 3. (AP)

On October 3, 46-year-old Terrance Williams could become the first person executed by the state of Pennsylvania in 13 years.

Williams was sentenced to life in prison without parole for the 1984 murders of two men that Williams’ attorneys claim abused him as a teenager. And on Monday, the state Board of Pardons voted against recommending that Governor Tom Corbett commute the sentence.

Williams, a former high school football star, has won many supporters, including Archbishop Charles Chaput and the widow of one of the men he murdered.

On Thursday, a judge in Philadelphia will hear arguments on whether a stay of execution is warranted, because of new claims that the prosecution in Williams’ 1986 trial withheld evidence about the alleged sexual abuse.

Guest:

  • Joe Slobodzian, courts and crime reporter for the Philadelphia Inquirer
Other stories from Wednesday's show

We welcome comments from all of our listeners. Post below. Please stay on topic and be civil. Comments may be moderated by us, but you are solely responsible for the content of your comments.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100003000884786 Navin R Johnson

    I just don’t understand how all these soon-to-be-executed men always become celebrities.  This guy has been in prison for over 25 years and his case has been appealed all the way to the Supreme Court, yet he waits until last year to bring up these abuse and rape allegations?  I don’t believe his story.  He is a cold-blooded murderer of multiple people and he is likely going to be executed next month.

    There are better stories more worthy of attention and petitions.

  • Sean

    My son Torey Adamcik (Adamchick) was 16 when sentenced to Life with out possibility for parole. The state did not test for or use DNA to convict either of the two boys, (the other boy had confessed to having killed the classmate). Torey used DNA to prove he was excluded as a potential contributor   but the jury still did not believe Torey’s claim of innocence. Torey has lost his first appeal. Both boys are serving a death in prison sentence.

    • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100003000884786 Navin R Johnson

       Your son did a horrible thing, maybe you should go see a mental health specialist and learn about denial.

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