Lawyers Seek Clemency For Philadelphia Man Set To Be Executed Next Month
By Tony Romeo
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - There's no comment yet from the Pennsylvania governor's office on a petition for clemency on behalf of Terrance Williams, who is scheduled to be executed in October.
Last month, Governor Corbett signed the death warrant for Williams, who has already had several appeals denied, making his scheduled execution on October 3 more likely.
Now, attorneys for Williams have asked the governor and the Board of Pardons for clemency, saying Williams suffered years of physical and sexual abuse at the hands of two men he killed while in his teens.
The attorneys say among those supporting the appeal for clemency are 22 former prosecutors and judges and several dozen faith leaders, including Philadelphia's Roman Catholic archbishop.
Also supporting clemency is the widow of Amos Norwood, whose murder resulted in the death sentence for Williams.
In addition to the appeal for clemency, there are also motions pending in state and federal court.
Williams could become the first death row inmate to be executed in Pennsylvania since Gary Heidnik was put to death in 1999.
