Post by sclcookie on Jun 2, 2006 1:16:23 GMT -5
Court Clears Way for Execution
The state Supreme Court has decided a 38-year-old death row inmate who
kidnapped, raped and murdered a 6-year-old boy is mentally competent to
agree to be executed.
The justices will issue a death warrant and set an execution date unless
William Downs, Jr., decides in the next two weeks to appeal the court's
ruling.
Downs has asked to die since he pleaded guilty in 2002.
Circuit Judge Casey Manning sentenced Downs to death after he told the
judge it would be disrespectful to the family and world not to impose a
death sentence.
The body of Keenan O'Mailia of North Augusta was found in 1999 covered
with debris. The boy disappeared the evening before, when he was riding
his bicycle along a dirt path near his home.
(source: Associated Press)
The state Supreme Court has decided a 38-year-old death row inmate who
kidnapped, raped and murdered a 6-year-old boy is mentally competent to
agree to be executed.
The justices will issue a death warrant and set an execution date unless
William Downs, Jr., decides in the next two weeks to appeal the court's
ruling.
Downs has asked to die since he pleaded guilty in 2002.
Circuit Judge Casey Manning sentenced Downs to death after he told the
judge it would be disrespectful to the family and world not to impose a
death sentence.
The body of Keenan O'Mailia of North Augusta was found in 1999 covered
with debris. The boy disappeared the evening before, when he was riding
his bicycle along a dirt path near his home.
(source: Associated Press)