Clemency Decision Put On Hold For Prisoner Scheduled To Be Executed Next Week
By Tony Romeo
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The Pennsylvania Board of Pardons made no immediate decision Thursday after agreeing to reconsider clemency for Terrance Williams, who is scheduled to be executed next Wednesday for a murder in Philadelphia nearly three decades ago.
Attorneys for Terrance Williams argued that the Board of Pardons should consider new information about what they say was a plea deal for Williams' co-defendant.
The defense, which claims Williams was abused by the man he killed, also claims there's new evidence that prosecution knew of claims that the murdered man had abused other teenage boys.
But Tom Dolgenos of the Philadelphia DA's office disputed those claims and also noted that a Philadelphia judge is expected to rule on the case Friday.
"Essentially what they seem to be doing is waiting for the court to decide the case. And that's exactly what we argued and asked them to do," Dolgenos said.
Williams' attorneys released a statement saying:
"We are pleased that the Board of Pardons has unanimously voted to take under advisement the request for clemency for Terry Williams and that two Board members who previously voted to deny clemency have now decided there is sufficient evidence to warrant reconsideration. We are confident that after careful review and consideration, the Board and the Governor will decide that Terry Williams is uniquely deserving of mercy and that a sentence of life without parole is appropriate in this case."
Before ending its meeting, the board did not explain why it took the case under advisement.
