On December 23, 1991 a fire claimed the lives of three girls. The fire was thought to have caused the fire that killed them. Mr. Willingham was executed February 17, 2004 and claimed his innocence multiple times including the day he was put to death. Even though, Mr. Willingham has already been executed there is a lot of conflicts about his death. The conflict had arisen when many fire officials determined there was not significant amount of evidence to determine the fire was caused by him, or even that it was arson.
They convicted him based on information that they had that wasn’t reliable and accurate. On the windows there was cracking that resembled a web and many of the arson detectives believed it was due to there being accelerant used
…show more content…
Willingham became a suspect in the deaths of his daughters right away. Apparently since he didn’t try hard enough to save his daughters he was guilty of trying to kill them. His town speculated that since he got laid off that he wanted to enjoy the night life by himself so he killed them. In this investigation they continuously tried to make him look like the bad guy. One women on the jury stated that even without evidence she would automatically assume he was guilty because he didn’t save his children. Everyone assumed it was him even his own lawyer David Martin the lawyer stated that Mr. Willingham deserved to be sentenced for murder. They brought up his criminal history which nothing heinous these crimes included burglary of a camera, and his dad even stated that he hooked up cable for kids which was not allowed. Next, they allowed someone who was in jail and on anti-depressants testify that Mr. Willingham admitted that he started the fire on purpose. Finally, the next-door neighbor said that Mr. Willingham seemed more concern with moving his car then trying to save his kids. This man was put to death and I honestly believe he was an innocent man that loved his children. Now, that they are fully investigating this case hopefully it proves his innocence and it clears his name. I know that won’t help the family or himself but it might help his ex-wife. This man went many years trying to prove his innocence and won’t be alive when it is proven. He won’t be able to spend