Cameron Todd Willingham was executed by the state of Texas in 2004. He was tried, convicted, and executed by lethal injection for setting fire to his home and killing his three young daughters, on December 23, 1991.
But forensic investigators have called the facts of the case into question – most notably whether the fire was arson, or an accident. (Willingham maintained his innocence to the very end, passing up a chance to plead guilty in exchange for a life sentence.)
The new evidence didn't come in time to save Willingham's life, but it may yet clear his name. Today, a judge in Texas is looking at the case, and a Frontline documentary airing next week will lay out the new evidence. What happens when the government admits they've killed an innocent man? Jessie Deeter, producer and director of "Death by Fire," and with Mike Hall, senior editor at Texas Monthly join the program.
Leave a Comment
Register for your own account so you can vote on comments, save your favorites, and more. Learn more.
Please stay on topic, be civil, and be brief.
Email addresses are never displayed, but they are required to confirm your comments. Names are displayed with all comments. We reserve the right to edit any comments posted on this site. Please read the Comment Guidelines before posting. By leaving a comment, you agree to New York Public Radio's Privacy Policy and Terms Of Use.