Post by sclcookie on Jun 3, 2006 14:39:41 GMT -5
WILLIAMS' ATTORNEYS TO USE INSANITY DEFENSE
Since prosecutors announced their intent to seek the death penalty against
a 22-year-old Tyler man accused of robbing and murdering an elderly woman
and setting her on fire, defense attorneys said Friday they intend to
raise an insanity defense.
Clifton Lamar Williams, also known as "Crazy C," faces possible life in
prison or the death penalty if convicted of robbing, beating, stabbing and
burning Cecilia Schneider, 93, on July 9, 2005.
Defense attorneys Melvin Thompson and LaJuanda Lacy filed a motion of
intent to use the insanity defense since the state is seeking capital
punishment and 114th District Judge Cynthia Stevens Kent said she would
allow the defense, although the motion was filed past the deadline.
Smith County District Attorney Matt Bingham, who is prosecuting the case
with First Assistant DA April Sikes, said the state has retained 2 mental
health experts. He said another doctor examined Williams on the issue of
mental retardation before they decided to seek the death penalty.
He said the findings show Williams is not mentally retarded.
The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that mentally retarded defendants cannot
be executed. The standard for mental retardation is an IQ below 70.
Judge Kent said the court would also appoint a mental health expert to
examine Williams.
The next pre-trial proceeding is scheduled for July 21, jury selection is
set for July 27, individual voir dire is scheduled to begin Aug. 7 and the
trial will start on Sept. 18.
Williams was arrested last July after Tyler police discovered fingerprints
and blood inside Cecilia Schneider's stolen and abandoned vehicle. Ms.
Schneider was found beaten and stabbed to death inside her home at 311
Callahan St. in Tyler. The suspect then set fire to the victim and her
bedding, according to the arrest warrant.
The indictment charges Williams with killing Ms. Schneider by stabbing,
striking, inflicting sharp or blunt force injuries, burning her or her
habitation or by strangling her, any of which he did in the course of
committing or attempting to commit burglary of a habitation, robbery or
arson. It also alleged he used a deadly weapon in the offense.
Stolen were Ms. Schneider's purse and 1997 Toyota Camry, which was
recovered wrecked on Greenbriar Road. A "large amount of blood" was found
both inside and outside of the car. A bloody Kleenex and fingerprints were
also retrieved, according to the affidavit by Tyler police Officer Dennis
Matthews, who said he was informed by several witnesses who observed a
black male standing in front of and walking away from, the wrecked car.
A certified fingerprint examiner matched a print found on the driver's
door of the Camry to Williams.
(source: Tyler Morning Telegraph)
Since prosecutors announced their intent to seek the death penalty against
a 22-year-old Tyler man accused of robbing and murdering an elderly woman
and setting her on fire, defense attorneys said Friday they intend to
raise an insanity defense.
Clifton Lamar Williams, also known as "Crazy C," faces possible life in
prison or the death penalty if convicted of robbing, beating, stabbing and
burning Cecilia Schneider, 93, on July 9, 2005.
Defense attorneys Melvin Thompson and LaJuanda Lacy filed a motion of
intent to use the insanity defense since the state is seeking capital
punishment and 114th District Judge Cynthia Stevens Kent said she would
allow the defense, although the motion was filed past the deadline.
Smith County District Attorney Matt Bingham, who is prosecuting the case
with First Assistant DA April Sikes, said the state has retained 2 mental
health experts. He said another doctor examined Williams on the issue of
mental retardation before they decided to seek the death penalty.
He said the findings show Williams is not mentally retarded.
The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that mentally retarded defendants cannot
be executed. The standard for mental retardation is an IQ below 70.
Judge Kent said the court would also appoint a mental health expert to
examine Williams.
The next pre-trial proceeding is scheduled for July 21, jury selection is
set for July 27, individual voir dire is scheduled to begin Aug. 7 and the
trial will start on Sept. 18.
Williams was arrested last July after Tyler police discovered fingerprints
and blood inside Cecilia Schneider's stolen and abandoned vehicle. Ms.
Schneider was found beaten and stabbed to death inside her home at 311
Callahan St. in Tyler. The suspect then set fire to the victim and her
bedding, according to the arrest warrant.
The indictment charges Williams with killing Ms. Schneider by stabbing,
striking, inflicting sharp or blunt force injuries, burning her or her
habitation or by strangling her, any of which he did in the course of
committing or attempting to commit burglary of a habitation, robbery or
arson. It also alleged he used a deadly weapon in the offense.
Stolen were Ms. Schneider's purse and 1997 Toyota Camry, which was
recovered wrecked on Greenbriar Road. A "large amount of blood" was found
both inside and outside of the car. A bloody Kleenex and fingerprints were
also retrieved, according to the affidavit by Tyler police Officer Dennis
Matthews, who said he was informed by several witnesses who observed a
black male standing in front of and walking away from, the wrecked car.
A certified fingerprint examiner matched a print found on the driver's
door of the Camry to Williams.
(source: Tyler Morning Telegraph)