Texas Court Halts David Leonard Wood’s Execution
- The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals issued a stay of execution for David Leonard Wood, just over 48 hours before his scheduled lethal injection on...
- David Leonard Wood, convicted of murdering six girls and women in texas, is set to be executed this month.
- The court order,which stated the stay was in effect "until further order of this court," offered no specific clarification for the decision.
stay of Execution Granted in El Paso “Desert Killer” Case
Table of Contents
- stay of Execution Granted in El Paso “Desert Killer” Case
- David Leonard Wood “desert Killer” case: Q&A on Stay of Execution
- Why was David Leonard Wood’s execution stayed?
- Who is David Leonard Wood?
- What were the arguments against David Leonard Wood’s execution?
- Who were the victims in the “Desert Killer” case?
- How did the victims’ families react to the stay of execution?
- What is a stay of execution?
- related cases and Context:
- Summary Table: Key Aspects of the David Leonard wood Case
The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals issued a stay of execution for David Leonard Wood, just over 48 hours before his scheduled lethal injection on Thursday. Wood, 67, has consistently maintained his innocence, denying that he is the so-called “Desert Killer.”
Death Row inmate convicted of serial murder says he’s innocent
David Leonard Wood, convicted of murdering six girls and women in texas, is set to be executed this month. He’s always maintained his innocence.
The court order,which stated the stay was in effect “until further order of this court,” offered no specific clarification for the decision. Wood has been on Texas Death Row for nearly four decades, despite the absence of DNA evidence linking him to the 1987 El Paso murders.
Wood expressed his frustration in a recent interview, stating, I’m accused of killing six people when an entire police force couldn’t find a single shred of evidence of anything. How can I not be angry at the corruption that put me hear? how can you let people just dump cases on you and not be angry?
The stay of execution occurred around the same time a federal judge in Louisiana temporarily blocked that state’s first nitrogen gas execution, scheduled for March 18, ruling that it could cause the inmate “pain and terror” and violate his constitutional rights.”
The Conviction of David Leonard Wood
Wood was convicted of the murders of six women and girls in 1987. The victims were:
- Dawn Marie Smith,14
- Desiree Wheatley,15
- Angelica Frausto,17
- Karen Baker,20
- Ivy Susanna Williams,23
- Rosa Maria Casio,24
The bodies were discovered in shallow graves in a desert area in northeastern El Paso. The causes of death varied, with at least one victim having been strangled.
Recent legal actions sought to halt the execution,with arguments presented to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals on Feb. 21. The court had previously rejected requests for additional DNA testing.
According to Wood’s legal representation, To this day, it is still mind-boggling why (the state) didn’t agree to more testing.I think they’re afraid of what they would find. If they believe David Wood is the desert serial murderer, then why are they afraid of additional testing? We’ve never tested anything other than those three items out of 135, and one excluded David Wood. that’s very troubling.
victims’ Families React to the Stay
Jolieen Denise Gonzalez, sister of 17-year-old victim angelica Frausto, described the stay as “fair.”
Gonzalez stated, I don’t think he shoudl die for my sister’s murder. I do not believe that I’m going to live to see my sister get justice.
She previously stated that she believed Wood helped plan her sister’s murder but didn’t kill her himself.
Marcia Fulton, the mother of 15-year-old victim Desiree Wheatley, expressed her disappointment but not surprise at the stay.
Fulton, who had planned to travel to Huntsville to witness the execution, said, I’m waiting for justice for my daughter because I promised her that at her gravesite. Each time this happens, it breaks my heart again, that I can’t follow through. Victims have no justice system. Disappointed yes, but it’s not like I am waiting for him to die.
David Leonard Wood “desert Killer” case: Q&A on Stay of Execution
this article addresses key questions surrounding the stay of execution for David Leonard Wood, also known as the ”Desert Killer,” who was convicted of murdering six women and girls in El Paso, Texas, in 1987.
Why was David Leonard Wood’s execution stayed?
The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals issued a stay of execution for David Leonard Wood just days before his scheduled lethal injection. The court order stated the stay was in effect “until further order of this court.”
Key takeaway: The stay provides a temporary reprieve, but the underlying reasons for the court’s decision remain unspecified.
Who is David Leonard Wood?
David Leonard Wood, 67, is an inmate on Texas Death Row convicted of the murders of six women and girls in El Paso in 1987.
He has consistently maintained his innocence, denying that he is the “Desert Killer.”
Crucial point: He has been on death row for nearly four decades.
What were the arguments against David Leonard Wood’s execution?
Lack of DNA Evidence: There is no DNA evidence linking Wood to the 1987 murders.
Calls for additional DNA Testing: Wood’s legal representation has argued for further DNA testing, suggesting the state may be afraid of what it would find. According to Wood’s legal representation “To this day, it is still mind-boggling why (the state) didn’t agree to more testing. I think they’re afraid of what they would find. if they believe David Wood is the desert serial murderer, then why are they afraid of additional testing? We’ve never tested anything other than those three items out of 135, and one excluded David Wood. that’s very troubling.”
Wood’s Claim of innocence: Wood maintains he is innocent, stating that the police couldn’t find any evidence linking him to the crimes. Wood expressed his frustration in a recent interview, stating, “I’m accused of killing six people when an entire police force couldn’t find a single shred of evidence of anything. How can I not be angry at the corruption that put me hear? how can you let people just dump cases on you and not be angry?”
Who were the victims in the “Desert Killer” case?
The victims of the “Desert Killer,” for whose murders David Leonard Wood was convicted, were:
Dawn Marie Smith, 14
Desiree Wheatley, 15
Angelica Frausto, 17
Karen Baker, 20
Ivy Susanna Williams, 23
Rosa Maria Casio, 24
Their bodies were found in shallow graves in a desert area in northeastern El Paso.
How did the victims’ families react to the stay of execution?
Jolieen denise Gonzalez (sister of Angelica Frausto): Described the stay as “fair” and stated,”I don’t think he shoudl die for my sister’s murder. I do not believe that I’m going to live to see my sister get justice.” She believes Wood helped plan her sister’s murder but didn’t kill her himself.
Marcia Fulton (mother of Desiree Wheatley): expressed disappointment but not surprise, stating, “I’m waiting for justice for my daughter because I promised her that at her gravesite. Each time this happens, it breaks my heart again, that I can’t follow through. Victims have no justice system. Disappointed yes, but it’s not like I am waiting for him to die.”
What is a stay of execution?
A stay of execution is a legal order that temporarily suspends a scheduled execution. It provides an chance for further legal review, inquiry, or consideration of new evidence.
* Around the same time as Wood’s stay, a federal judge in Louisiana temporarily blocked that state’s first nitrogen gas execution, ruling that it could cause the inmate “pain and terror” and violate his constitutional rights.
Summary Table: Key Aspects of the David Leonard wood Case
| Aspect | Details |
| ———————- | —————————————————————————————————————————————————- |
| defendant | David Leonard Wood, also known as the “Desert Killer” |
| Crimes Convicted Of | Murders of six women and girls in El Paso, Texas, in 1987 |
| evidence | No conclusive DNA evidence linking Wood to the crimes |
| Current Status | Stay of execution granted by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals |
| Key Argument | Wood maintains innocence; legal team argues for further DNA testing; one sister of a victim does not think Wood should die for her sister’s murder. |
| Victims | Dawn Marie Smith, Desiree Wheatley, Angelica Frausto, Karen Baker, Ivy Susanna Williams, Rosa Maria Casio |