March 6
TEXAS----new execution date Local man has date with executioner A Texarkana, Texas, killer is scheduled to die in Texas' death chamber on Aug. 3, according to a recently issued death warrant out of the 5th District Court in Bowie County. William E. Wyatt Jr. recently struck out with the New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, where he was appealing his 1998 capital murder conviction and death sentence for the molestation and smothering of 3-year-old Damien Willis, the child of Wyatt's former live-in girlfriend, Renee Porter. "I've maintained contact with the baby's mother and the child's paternal grandmother, but they've been patient waiting for justice in this case," said Assistant District Attorney Mike Shepherd, who tried the case in Bowie County's district court. Wyatt, 40, was caring for the toddler at the time of the crime on Feb. 4, 1997. Wyatt initially called for emergency help, saying Damien had drowned in the bathtub. During their investigation, authorities found the tub was dry with no evidence of anyone bathing in it at the time of the call. Wyatt lost his appeal in the 1st round of federal court when U.S. District Judge Thad Heartfield upheld the conviction and death sentence. The 5th Circuit has oversight of the federal district court. Wyatt tried to convince a 3-judge panel he should have known about the notebook that Porter compiled. But the justices were not convinced that the notebook, which was compiled after her sons death, was subject to disclosure to Wyatts lawyers. "Well after Wyatts horrific abuse of the child, Porter created the notebook to aid in preparation for her trial testimony. The state concedes that neither before nor during the trial, did it produce the hand-written notebook prepared by Porter, the victim's mother. It was neither read, nor otherwise presented, to the jury," according to the opinion. Although the notebook was not given to Wyatt's lawyers in advance, the appellate justices found that Wyatt would have had to have "independent knowledge of the relevant facts described in it." Shepherd says the mother and grandmother intend to witness Wyatts execution by lethal injection this summer. Shepherd says the mother and grandmother intend to witness Wyatts execution by lethal injection this summer. Because Wyatt lost his 2nd round of federal appeals, he can now ask the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the case. Shepherd is doubtful that Wyatt will have any success in the nations highest court. (source: Texarkana Gazette) VIRGINIA: Families React To Moussaoui Death Penalty Trial Relatives of Sept. 11 victims gathered in a federal courthouse here Monday to watch a simulcast of the death penalty trial for the only man charged in the U.S. in the 2001 terror attacks. Many said they hoped Zacarias Moussaoui would be put to death. "What's running through my brain is revenge," said Robert Alonso, of Stony Point, N.Y., whose wife died Sept. 11. "I want revenge, but I won't get it. But what I want secondary is justice. And this is just the 1st phase of much more justice to come." Moussaoui, a 37-year-old French citizen, has acknowledged his loyalty to the al-Qaida terrorist network and his intent to commit acts of terrorism, but denies any prior knowledge of the Sept. 11 plot. Moussaoui pleaded guilty in April to conspiring with al-Qaida to hijack planes and commit other crimes. The trial being held in Virginia will determine his punishment, and only 2 options are available: death or life in prison. In Newark, some relatives milled around the lobby of the courthouse, while others nervously tugged on ID cards that allowed them entry into a courtroom to view the proceedings. Sam LaForte, 48, arrived at the courthouse after knocking off early from his construction job. LaFortes brother, Michael, died on his 39th birthday. "I'd like to see him (Moussaoui) be executed," said LaForte, of Bloomfield, who has a tattoo of his brother on his arm. "My younger brothers not here anymore. My only brother. My only sibling." Don and Wilma Wiener of Monroe echoed those sentiments. Their 33-year-old son, Jeffrey, a vice president for insurance broker Marsh & McLennan, died in Tower One. "We'd like to make sure that he (Moussaoui) gets what he deserves," said Don Wiener, 68. "We'd prefer the death penalty. He hates this country so much, let him be killed quickly." But others said they came to learn more about how and why their loved ones perished. Among them were at least two of the New Jersey women who pressed for public hearings and investigations into the attacks. "For 4 years when we were trying to get the independent investigation, we had a lot of questions that werent answered because of this trial," said Mindy Kleinberg, of East Brunswick, whose husband was killed in the World Trade Center. "Part of it is trying to gain a better understanding of what happened on 9/11, so were hoping that comes forward because of this." Matthew T. Sellitto, whose son, Matthew, was killed, said he came up from Naples, Fla., for similar reasons. "I'm here as a parent who further wants to find out how they murdered my son," said Sellitto, who also lives in Morris County. "I want to see justice happen. But let him stay on this earth and feel the pain and suffering the families have to feel. Death would be giving him what he wants." (source: CBS News)
