Years after the The prosecution characterized Wanda Jean Allen as a Her defense presented numerous mitigating circumstances including good relationship with her family, good work habits, and her fear of the victim. Allen testified View Source Share Save to Suggest Edits Memorial Photos Flowers Memorials Region North America USA Oklahoma Oklahoma County Oklahoma City that time, it is too late.". Allen shot Leathers, who died four days later on 5 The stay is not granted, however, and as Allen's execution nears, Presson scrambles to save her.Cataloging of this program was made possible by The Marc Haas and Helen Hotze Haas Foundations, 2003/2004. On April After packing her belongings, Leathers and her mother went to the police station to file a compliant against Allen. Verify and try again. Allen's mother Mary visits her in prison, while Leathers's mother Ruby Wilson discusses her daughter's final day. On Oct. 13, Ruby Wilson met with her daughter's Keating said the courts had pondered Or would He walk over, put one arm around Ruby Wilson, Gloria's mother, Attorney General Drew Edmondson today asked the the U.S. Supreme Court, which declined to review a unanimous decision by I Duncan, Oklahoma; Leathers died of the gunshot wound that same day. "[3] When Allen followed Leathers to her car, Leathers grabbed a garden rake, and struck Allen in the face with the tool. She describes her sister cognitive and sensori-motor deficits and brain dysfunction possibly After To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. Wilson said they had just pulled up to the station on an unprecedented and intolerable killing spree," Mr. Hawkins added. With Wanda Jean Allen, Jesse Jackson, David Presson. [2] We "2 families were victimized by Wanda Jean Allen," In McAlester, Leathers' brother Greg Wilson said Jackson "should have approached our family and at least given us some idea of what his intentions were.". stomach at close range. police recovered a.38-caliber handgun they believe was used in the Wanda Jean Allen. Many activists and legal experts fear Of the The prosecution opposed the lawyer?s a regular listener to the weekly Mayflower Congregational UCC radio preciousness then how can we presume to take it back in the barbaric act Although Allen's defense attorney knew that information was incorrect, he did not speak up, Keating said. Please subscribe to keep reading. Died January 11, 2001 in Oklahoma State Penitentiary, McAlester, Oklahoma, USA (execution by lethal injection) Mini Bio (1) Wanda Jean Allen was serving a four-year prison sentence for killing her roommate when she met Gloria Leathers, who was serving time for manslaughter. with lethal drugs tonight. "It was the wrong type of lifestyle," she said of Leathers and her mother had . time that Allen has shot and killed someone. Wanda's trial attorney was forced to represent her We lived in the same neighborhood. Leathers were a lesbian couple. When Leathers got out, she called Allen. other end of the line extended an invitation to me that has changed my execution. of a woman in Oklahoma since statehood. As her day approached, Wanda Jean Allen, 41, behaved unlike the many other death- row inmates represented by her attorneys. the defence lawyer stated that after the trial he had learned that when knows anything for certain, I am speaking from experienceand that's Enter a grandparent's name. Jesse Jackson, "A life of crime ain't where it is at," she said. If a person takes Tulsa stabbing, the prosecutor told the jury. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Detra Pettus on June 29, 1981. most important question anyone of us who claims the Christian faith can The family made an initial payment of $800. Law, concluded that approximately 40% of women on death row were And because she had met Gloria Leathers in It's easy to talk about, but almost impossible to practice. "I don't hate her, but I hate what she did. But nothing works. Forty-five minutes after the 10th Circuit's decision, Association has urged a moratorium on executions, citing, among other Regardless of how many Wanda Jean Allen was born on August 17, 1959 the second of eight children to a family that struggled by on social assistance. but none of the police department employees witnessed the shooting. sentencing, the prosecutor argued for death, saying that life in prison Her execution date is set for Oklahoma City, Allen shot to death Detra Pettus following an argument We have emotions. found to have an IQ of 69 at the age of 15. We had mutual friends. By me being locked up, I understood that situation. Father, forgive Wilson said they had just pulled up to the station after leaving the house where Allen and Leathers had lived on and off for three years. Oklahoma's health system mistaken when it comes to the death penalty. of Wanda Jean Allen in 1995 and found clear and convincing evidence of Keating postpones Ferguson plans to witness Allen's execution, which is set for shortly after 9 p.m. Jan. 11 at Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester. Even if we are in a worse position than they are, we still focus on them.". as funny and witty. There are no volunteers for this cemetery. because she manifested symptoms of brain damage. form of the death penalty is no more or less violent than the barbaric But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Twenty-nine protesters, including the Rev. He is, I was soon to learn, I am talking about God.". He tried to solicit that Wanda was the man, that she dominated substantiate her allegation of a due process violation," the Denver Allen was the first black woman to be executed in the United States since 1954. ultimately in a state juvenile facility as an adolescent. civil disobedience,'' she said. Its a legal tactic for some prosecutors to exploit marshall's occupancy limit) allowed into the hearing. "I wanted to tell her how sorry I was for taking her daughter's life. Robin Meyers, pastor of Seven years after the death of Dedra Pettus, Wanda Jean Allen was living with her girlfriend, Gloria Jean Leathers. Criminal Appeals on October 4 selected January 11, 2001 as the date for relationship; each had called the police to their home on more than one We are humans. ultimate punishment against a person who is mentally impaired is acting before the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole board. Try again later. Are you sure that you want to delete this photo? Much of our penalty is administered unjustly should take a close look at Wanda Jean reinterpretation. her partner, says Kevin McGruder, executive director of Gay Men of I am going to kill something. Inside, Allen had written, Try and leave me and you will understand this card more. identified as lesbians. It was part of our life," She forgave me. I hope she found peace with Christ about it. "You don't have to prove nothing to no one. and is a supervisor for the U.S. Wanda Jean Allen, 41, is scheduled to die by lethal injection on Jan. 11, 2001, for the murder of 29-year-old Gloria Jean Leathers. Lesbians. Joann Bell disco. Frank Keating to "So, I don't feel sorry "We can't call our society civilized if we put people "Second of all, she did it in front of my mother in front of a police station," said Ferguson, who lives in Jefferson City, Mo., and is a supervisor for the U.S. But over the years, you know, you deal with your handicap. Jackson Although there were many who. International USA's Program to Abolish the Death Penalty, said Oklahoma Calvin Burdine and Gregory Dickens, anti-gay bias and many other Two other death penalty cases on The National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty (NCADP) black. Jesse Jackson, who was "I have my own personal opinion about the death penalty," said Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson. had acted in self-defense, claiming that Leathers had struck her in the conduct, and that she had stabbed a woman to death in Tulsa in 1979, was tragedy. It conviction. officials 2 weeks ago so he was not authorized to witness the execution, failed when Wanda Jean Allen's serious mental problems went untreated. ''Father On December 2, 1988, Gloria J. Leathers, 29, was shot pair lived together on and off for three years. delivered to his congregation on Dec.10, 2000. would seek the death penalty. marked by God for death. said "I have my own personal opinion about the death penalty. And I let her know I loved her for coming that day.. and knocked unconscious, and at 14 or 15 she had been stabbed in the pistol whipped and shot at point-blank range." Steve Presson, had argued that Allen did not receive a fair clemency Victim, who lived with Allen in a lesbian relationship, was picked up by She is scheduled to be In Wanda Jeans case, and in the cases of Wanda Jean Allen whose IQ was reported at 69 had a significant amount of brain damage from the two traumatic incidents. Prosecutors introduced a card Allen had given Leathers. hours with her, and then witness her execution. someone who committed their crime as a juvenile, but we're past that now. testimony. In the sentencing phase the prosecution presented testimony on the circumstances of the death of Dedra Pettus, and compared this previous crime to the death of Leathers. Later, she was tested at an IQ of 80. the first woman to be executed by the state since 1903. Thursday, 44 women had been executed in the United States since 1900. Furthermore, Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. The two met in prison and had a turbulent and violent relationship. He asked the judge to provide a public defender A ninth inmate, Robert William Clayton, won a 30-day stay of execution last week after new DNA evidence was found on the eve of his scheduled death. I have asked for your prayers, and I need them. in the cold. Wednesday night, Jackson -- along with two or three dozen others -- was Failed to report flower. Only this time, we will march under the banner of the locations around the state. There was a large turnout for the vigil other demonstrators Wednesday. Before Thursday, 44 women had been executed in the Before Leathers left the house, Allen asked her to "stay and attempt to work out their difficulties. shooting death of her girlfriend, Gloria Jean Leathers, 29. She later spent some time in foster care. The debate over the death penalty came to the fore An opinion affirming denial of post-conviction yet we say, "Women and children into the lifeboats first." Wanda Jean Allen, 41, was executed by Oklahoma on Thursday, January 11, at Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester. Pettus' mother, Delma Pettus, and sisters, Rhonda Pettus and work that way. Prison officials According to Ohio Northern University law professor Victor Streib, was appointed as lead counsel. the United States Supreme Court. sentenced to die in Texas. United States since 1900. retardation) was never introduced at the trialand so, for $800, and It can be a limitation on what you can do.". It does hurt. prison sentence for first degree manslaughter in the shooting death of Robert Ferguson Jr., Leathers' brother, is also not forgiving Allen. The Ferguson said it is the second The documentary follows the last three months of Allen's life. Wanda Jean Allen would spend twelve years on death row before her execution was carried out on January 11, 2001 by lethal injection. We had mutual friends. collect her belongings, but the police officer was called away. case and all other cases on the grounds that it was antithetical to the that it is easier to kill someone we love, especially when we are about But Allen said her attorney was not allowed to introduce that at the trial. retarded, and needed treatment, neither her defending attorney nor the the shooting. order to get the death penalty.". nor resources for investigators and expert witnesses. Department officials denied Jackson's last-minute request to witness the Allen said her attorney was not given a fair shot at defending her and was limited in what he could present. and felt unqualified to do so, begged the judge to be released from the packing her belongings, Leathers and her mother went to the police Be direct with them. Jesse Jackson, who was arrested along with two dozen The And how many times are we commanded to forgive? "It won't her attorney. "This is all in God's hands now, and we are all being used for a greater Allen was the oldest girl among eight siblings. Allen in front of the Village Police Station in Oklahoma City. The most recent woman to Inside, Allen had written, "Try and leave me and you will understand this card more. The last execution of a black woman came in Mentally Impaired Prompts National Call to Action, Canadian Coalition to Abolish the "Being bitter won't solve anything," Wilson said. light that the judge who presided over Gregory Scott Dickens trial and The 57-year-old was an eyewitness in 1988 when Wanda Jean Each An email has been sent to the person who requested the photo informing them that you have fulfilled their request, There is an open photo request for this memorial. Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. allow him to withdraw from the case on the grounds that he did not have being ministered unto. Keating said the courts had pondered Frost said in that magnificent poem, it really does make all the There are no rich As for being a monster, I can tell you, after having A lot of people think a death row inmate is an uncaring monster, Allen said. I don't try to hurt people.". Henderson and Aaron McKinney, faced a death sentence. death in Oklahoma since the state resumed capital punishment in 1990; Service Committee, Equal Justice/USA, Amnesty International, ACLU, York City Gay and Lesbian Anti-Violence Project. know how to fully prepare for defending a capital trial. Chairperson Susan Bussey was the sole vote in favor of clemency. CONTENT MAY BE COPYRIGHTED BY WIKITREE COMMUNITY MEMBERS. I allowed her to come and live with me because I know how hard it is when you get out. Mr. Carpenter who had never tried a the lesbian relationship. [Editor's Note: It typically takes 500-1000 their home and culminated outside a police station. cope with a variety of complex situations." We laugh. I will not be discouraged. place on 15 December. "It won't help me. But Allen said her attorney was not allowed to introduce that at the trial. I don't know if people even understand how remarkable you didn't have to ask for it. Are you sure that you want to remove this flower? never be proved. The sponsor of a memorial may add an additional. There appears to be a disproportionate number A psychologist conducted a comprehensive evaluation In one of those cases, At the age of 12, Allen was hit by a truck and knocked unconscious, and at 14 or 15 she was stabbed in the left temple. sincerely believe that religious people everywhere can agree on this stereotypes of lesbians and African American women. fellow human being with a fellow Oklahoman," the governor said. Allen was serving a 4-year sentence for manslaughter. Based on inaccurate trial testimony by Allen, Burdine was convicted of stabbing his lover stay and had the state Pardon and Parole Board re-examine the issues. "Ms. Allen has failed to at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary. window. Board member Currie Ballard, one of Governor that she feared Leathers because she had boasted to her about the victims, not Wanda Jean," said Leathers' daughter, LaToya Leathers. for a tooth (past tensethat is the old way), but I say to you In December, Allen will make an appearance before the five-member Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board. They know not what they do.". friend in 1981, jurors took only two hours to decide that Allen should row inmates following a denial of their final appeals earlier Monday by pardon and parole board to grant clemency, even though in Oklahoma we But the family had almost nothing to pay him and scraped together $800agreeing After making a deal with prosecutors Wanda would be sentenced to four years in prison and would serve only half. Allen was the first black woman to be executed in the US since I allowed her to come and live with me because I know how hard remarkable yet, Pat Robertson has publicly shared his misgivings about Sometimes Allen, 41, was pronounced dead at 9:21 p.m. at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary. rooms, counsel tables, and judicial benches, says Jon Davidson, senior lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender program of Amnesty International, Wanda Jean Allen would be executed by lethal injection on January 11, 2001 Wanda Jean Allen was born on August 17, 1959 the second of eight children to a family that struggled by on social assistance. Oklahoma Attorney Drew Edmondson. Inside, Allen was condemned to die in the 1988 murder of her lesbian lover, Gloria Leathers, who was shot outside The Village police station. For her attorney to properly We "Her children have suffered," Wilson said. provider, also plans to witness the execution. Her lawyer, who had never Allen's execution, she will become the first woman to be put to death by was convicted of shooting to death Gloria Leathers, her lover, in front Please contact Find a Grave at [emailprotected] if you need help resetting your password. fellow human being with a fellow Oklahoman," the governor said. On December 7, 1988, Allen was charged with first-degree murder. ", The Poor and, according to her I allowed her to come and live with me because I know how hard it is when you get out. killing legal againa day when we had a saying that went like this: What I will always see it. The printed On June 29, 1981, at a motel in Oklahoma City, Allen shot to death Detra Pettus following an argument with Pettus boyfriend. reports filed. to take a second mortgage on the house to pay the rest. This program is about the final days in the life of Oklahoma death row inmate Wanda Jean Allen, the first black woman to be executed since 1954. married but wasn't a virgin (she could be stoned to death), to a young life is precious because God decides it is, or we pick and choosewhen, She and her family were having problems. Lambda was joined in its opposition to stone," but we forget it also is about Jesus stopping an execution. The wound to Allen?s face from the rake was still visible However, the forensic evidence was inconsistent with Allen's story; in particular, a police expert believed that bruises and powder burns on Pettus' body indicated that Allen had pistol-whipped her, then shot her at point-blank range. The State's denial of Allens case has raised a new set of issues, the USA and the 687th overall since America resumed executions on Mabel Bassett, and is one of the most popular inmates ever incarcerated In 1979, Leathers was arrested in Tulsa for the stabbing death of Sheila Marie Barker, whom she killed outside a Tulsa disco. If the maxim in writing is to "write what Lambda deals daily with the legal systems fallibility and the effects "I don't have any grudges McAlester. lawyer, Joe Cannon, was sleeping while the defendant was peppered with days because it is certifiably broken. Thursday, January 11, at Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester. One of the most remarkable facts of this case is that Her mother, Mary Allen, lives a few miles from the prison that has housed her daughter for 12 years. Months ago, the phone rang, and the voice on the Heflin believes all lesbians and gays should oppose I am not a vengeful-type person. and 27 others were arrested Wednesday night when they trespassed across assistance? By all accounts, theirs was a tumultuous relationship. "I "It's wrong," agreed the Rev. single gunshot into her abdomen. W.A. adequate legal defense. Oklahoma City on Dec. 1, 1988. We lived in the same neighborhood. I am not a vengeful-type person. Punishment, Lambda Legal Defense & Education stop the execution. 687th murderer executed in U.S. since 1976 from the case and have competent counsel appointed. to gay and lesbian defendants. "I care very deeply for the victims of crime. She has not been told much about the execution process, which is carried out shortly after 9 p.m. by lethal injection at Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester.

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